m 


?.— .  ■' >--!f.i::j- ■ 


•l»V< 


««**' 


"^no^.    ^  y^f/j/jir/'^. 


JAN  "Ti  1933 


^1 


'■  IRFV 


,>*f 


Baptist  Hymn  Writers 


AND    THEIR    HYMNS 


BY 


HENRY   S.   BURRAGE,   D.D. 

AUTHOR  OF    "a  HISTORY  OF   THE  ANABAPTISTS  OF  SWITZERLAND,"   ETC. 


PORTLAND,    MAINE 
BROWN    THURSTON    &    COMPANY 


Copyright,  1888,  by 
HENRY    S.    BURRAGE. 


B.  Thurston  &  Co., 
Electrotypers  and  Printers, 

PORTLAND,  ME. 


Teaching  and  admonishing  one  another  in  psalms,  and  hymns, 
and  spiritual  songs.     Col.  iii.  16. 

The  pilgrim  they  laid  in  a  large  upper  chamber,  whose  windows 
opened  towards  the  rising  sun.  The  name  of  the  chamber  was 
Peace,  where  he  slept  till  break  of  day,  and  then  he  awoke  and  sang. 

Bunyan's  Pilgrim,''s  Progress. 

Saints  below,  with  heart  and  voice. 
Still  in  songs  of  praise  rejoice ; 
Learning  here,  by  faith  and  love, 
Songs  of  praise  to  sing  above. 
Borne  upon  their  latest  breath. 
Songs  of  praise  shall  conquer  death ; 
Then  amid  eternal  joy, 
Songs  of  praise  their  powers  employ . 

J.  Montgomery. 


PREFACE. 


PREFACE. 


During  the  past  two  centuries  the  hymnody  of  the  Christian  church 
has  been  greatly  enriched.  In  no  other  i^eriod,  since  the  advent  of 
our  Loi'd,  liave  so  many  of  the  disciples  of  Christ  given  beautiful 
expression  in  verse  to  the  devout  sentiments  of  loving,  adoring  hearts. 
Among  these  writers  of  "  psalms,  and  hymns,  and  sjiiritual  songs," 
Baptists  have  an  honorable  place.  Indeed,  to  those  who  have  not 
given  careful  attention  to  this  department  of  Christian  literature,  it 
will  be  a  surprise  to  learn  how  many  of  the  hymns  oftenest  on  the 
lips  of  believers  of  every  name  were  written  by  Baptists.  In  this 
volume,  so  far  as  was  possible,  I  have  brought  together  the  promi- 
nent facts  concerning  these  hymns  and  their  authors.  Of  course 
mention  could  not  be  made  of  all  the  Baptists  who  have  written  hymns, 
for  their  number  is  legion.  I  have  been  obliged,  therefore,  to  confine 
my  attention  to  those  who  have  hymns  in  published  collections.  In 
the  accomplishment  of  my  task,  use  has  been  made  of  all  the  Bap- 
tist hymn  books  which  it  was  possible  for  me  to  bring  together. 
Some  books,  doubtless,  I  have  failed  to  discover,  and  some  writers 
who  are  represented  in  books  in  my  possession  may  have  eluded  my 
search.  In  general,  however,  I  believe  it  will  be  found,  that  in  the 
following  pages  the  work  done  by  Baptists  in  promoting  "  the  service 
of  song  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  "  is  faithfully  indicated. 

The  books  I  have  found  most  helpful  in  ray  work  are  Josiah  Mil- 
ler's "Singers  and  Songs  of  the  Church"  (1869);  Rev.  Dr.  Edwin 
F.  Hatfield's  "Poets  of  the  Church"  (1884);  Rev.  Samuel  Wil- 
loughby  Duffield's  "English  Hymns"  (1SS6);  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph 
Belcher's  "Historical  Sketches  of  Hymns"  (1859);  Hezekiah  But- 


VI  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

tenvorth's  "  Story  of  the  Hj^mns  "  (1875);  Rev.  Edwin  M.  Long's 
"Illustrated  History  of  Hymns  and  their  Authors"  (187C);  and 
John  Gadsby's  '•  Memoirs  of  the  Principal  Hymn  Writers  and  Com- 
pilers of  the  17th  and  18th  Centuries"  (1855). 

For  valuable  assistance  in  gathering  information  concerning  many 
of  the  English  Baptist  hymn  writers,  especially  the  more  recent,  I 
am  indebted  to  Rev.  W.  R.  Stevenson,  M.A.,  of  Carrington,  Notting- 
ham, England.  I  am  also  under  great  obligations  to  Rev.  Joseph 
Angus,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  president  of  Regent's  Park  College,  London; 
Rev.  James  Culross,  d.d.,  president  of  the  Baptist  College,  Bristol; 
and  Mr.  Charles  Gordelier,  the  well  known  London  bookseller. 

In  preparing  sketches  of  American  Baptist  hymn  writers,  I  have 
had  many  helpers.  From  Rev.  F.  M.  Bird,  of  South  Bethlehem, 
Penn.,  well  known  both  in  this  country  and  in  England  as  a  hym- 
uologist,  I  have  I'eceived  valuable  suggestions  and  information. 
Rev.  H.  L.  Hastings,  of* Boston,  placed  at  my  disposal  his  choice  col- 
lection of  Baptist  hymn  books.  Rev.  J.  A.  Broadus,  d.d.,  ll.d.,  of 
the  Southern  Baptist  Theological  Seminary  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  sent 
to  me,  from  the  library  of  the  Seminary,  twenty-one  hymn  books, 
many  of  them  rare;  and  in  other  ways  from  the  beginning  of  my 
work  he  has  aided  me  in  its  prosecution.  His  colleague,  Dr.  Basil 
Manly,  has  likewise  been  exceedingly  helpful  in  imparting  informa- 
tion concerning  Bapti^it  hymn  writers  in  the  south.  Others  at  the 
south,  to  whom  I  am  under  obligations  for  kindly  assistance,  are 
Rev.  J.  C.  Furman,  d.d.,  of  Greenville,  S.  C ;  Rev.  B.  W.  Whilden, 
of  Williamston,  S.  C. ;  Rev.  John  Stout,  of  Society  Hill,  S.  C. ;  Rev. 
H.  A.  Tupper,  d.d.,  of  Richmond,  Va.;  and  Rev.  Andrew  Broaddus, 
D.D.,  of  Sparta,  Va.  Of  brethren  at  the  north,  I  am  under  great 
obligations  to  Rev.  S.  F.  Smith,  d.d.,  who  has  so  long  been  con- 
nected with  whatever  is  best  in  Christian  song,  both  as  a  hymn 
writer,  and  as  one  of  the  compilers  of  the  "  Psalmist ";  also  to  Rev. 


PREFACE.  VII 

S.  Dryden  Phelps,  d.d.,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  another  sweet  singer 
in  our  Israel;  Rev.  G.  W.  Anderson,  d.d.,  of  Philadelphia,  Penn. ; 
Hon.  Horatio  Gates  Jones,  of  Philadelphia,  Penn  ;  Rev.  Robert 
Lowry,  d.d.,  of  Plaiufield,  N.  J  ;  Rev.  Kendall  Brooks,  d.d.,  of 
Kalamazoo,  Mich.;  General  Mason  Brayman,  of  Ripon,  Wis. ;  Rev. 
Justus  Bulkley,  d.d.,  of  Upper  Alton,  111.;  Rev.  D.  C.  Eddy,  d.d.,  of 
Brooklyn,  N.Y.;  Rev.  Warren  Randolph,  d.d.,  Newport,  R.  I  ;  Rev. 
G.  W.  Lasher,  d.d.,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  Rev.  George  E.  Tufts,  of 
Belfast,  Me.,  and  especially  to  Mr.  W.  E.  Chute,  of  Wales,  Mich., 
who  for  many  years  has  given  much  attention  to  hymns  and 
hymn  writers,  and  whose  stores  of  information  thus  acquired  have 
generously  been  made  available  for  my  use. 

For  assistance  in  other  parts  of  the  work  my  grateful  acknowledg- 
ments are  due  to  Rev.  Walther  Rauschenbusch,  of  New  York;  Prof. 
N.  Schmidt,  of  Hamilton,  N.  Y.;  Prof.  N.  P.  Jensen,  of  Morgan 
Park,  111.;  Rev.  H.  Andru,  of  Paris,  France;  Rev.  A.  L.  Therrien, 
of  Montreal,  Canada;  Rev.  John  T.  Grifiith,  of  Lonsdale,  Penn.; 
Prof.  W.  I.  Knapp,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.;  Rev.  T.  M.  Westrup,  of 
Monterey,  Mexico;  Rev.  D.  Z.  Sakellarios,  of  Athens,  Greece;  Rev. 
Lyman  Jewett,  d.d.,  of  Newton  Centre,  Mass.;  Mrs.  Annie  H. 
Downie,  of  Nellore,  India;  Rev.  J.  N.  Gushing,  d.d.,  of  Rangoon, 
Burma,  for  very  complete  notes  on  Burman,  Karen,  and  Shan  hymn 
writers;  Mrs.  A.  K.  Gurney,  of  Sibsagor,  Assam;  Rev.  S.  B.  Part- 
ridge, of  Swatow,  China;  Rev.  R.  H.  Graves,  d.d.,  of  Canton, 
China;  Rev.  J.  R.  Goddard,  of  Ningpo,  China;  Rev.  A.  A.  Ben- 
nett, of  Yokohama,  Japan;  and  Rev.  Herbert  Probert,  of  Fargo, 
Dakota  Territory,  formerly  of  the  Congo  Mission. 

I  am  also  indebted  for  the  use  of  books  and  other  favors  to  the 
Boston  Public  Library,  the  library  of  Harvard  College,  the  library 
of  Brown  University,  the  library  of  Colby  University,  the  library  of 
Newton  Theological  Institution,  and  the  library  of  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society. 


VIII  BAPTIST  HY^rX  WRITERS. 

And  now,  at  the  close  of  my  long  search  in  this  delightful  lield  of 
investigation,  itiay  I  be  allowed  to  express  the  hope  that  the  reader 
will  derive  from  the  following  pages  somewhat  of  the  interest  and 
pleasure  which  the  author  has  felt  in  so  large  a  measure  during  the 
progress  of  his  work. 

Henky  S.  Bukrage. 

Portland,  Me.,  September,  1888. 


CONTENTS.  IX 


CONTENTS. 


Anabaptist  Hy^ix  Writers  and  their  Hymns,  1 

English  Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns,  27 

American  Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns,  223 

German  Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns,  62.'5 

Swedish  Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns,  559 
Danish  and  Xorwegian  Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and 

THEIR  Hymns,  5G2 

French  Baptist  Hymn"  Writers  and  their  Hymns,  5C7 

Welsh  Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns,  571 

Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns  in  Spain,  574 

Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns  in  Mexico,  577 

Baptist  Hy3IN  Writers  and  their  Hymns  in  Greece,  580 

Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns  in  India,  583 

Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns  in  Burma,  593 

Baptist  Hymn  AVriters  axd  their  Hymns  in  Assam,  610 

Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns  in  China,  613 

Baptist  Hymn  Writers  and  their  Hymns  in  Japan,  618 

Baptist  Hy^n  Writers  and  their  Hymns  in  Africa,  622 
Appendix  1.    English  Baptist  Hymx  Books  and  their 

Compilers,  G27 
Appendix  2.     American  Baptist  Hymn  Books  and  their 

Compilers,                                            "  638 
Appendix  3.    German  Baptist  Hymn  Books  and  their 

Compilers,  669 
First  Lines  of  Principal  Hymns  of  the  Writers  Men- 
tioned in  this  Yoll'me,  671 
Index  of  Names,  677 


ILLUSTRATIONS.  xi 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


John  Fawcett,  d.d., Frontispiece 

Charles  II.  ypuuGEOX, 208 

Samuel  F.  Smith,  d.d., 329 

Emily  C.  Judson,     , 396 

Basil  Manly,  d.d.,  ll.d., 425 


ANABAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND    THEIR    HYMNS. 


Wackerxagel,  in  liis  celebrated  work  on  German 
Hynmology,  has  a  section^  entitled  "  H^mns  of  the 
Martyrs,"  These  hymns,  for  the  most  part,  were  writ- 
ten by  certain  Anabaptists  of  Switzerland  and  southern 
Germany,  who  chose  rather  to  die  than  to  deny  the 
truth  which  they  had  accepted  as  the  truth  of  God. 
These  hymns,  twehe  in  numlDcr,  are  taken  from  a  col- 
lection published  in  1583,  entitled  "  Some  Beautiful 
Christian  Hymns,  Composed  by  the  Swiss  Brethren^ 
in  the  Prison  in  the  Castle  at  Passau,^  and  by  other 
evang-elical  Christians  here  and  there."* 

Luther,  as  early  as  1523,  composed  a  martyr  hymn, 
commencino* 

o 

Ein  newes  Lied  wir  Iieben  an, 

and  referring  to  two  former  Augustinian  monks,  who  were 
burned  at  Brussels,  July  1,  that  year,  for  having  ac- 
cepted the  views  which  Luther  held.  This  hymn,  with 
music  also  by  Luther,  was  soon  carried  to  every  part 

1  Deutsche  Kirchenlied,  s.  504  —  523. 

'  The  Swiss  Anabaptists  among  themselves  were  known  simply  as  "  Brethren."  The 
term  Anabaptist  was  applied  to  them  by  their  opponents  as  a  term  of  reproach. 

»  Auss  Bundt,  das  ist:  etliche  schone  Christenliche  Lieder,  wie  die  in  der  Gefangnuss 
zu Passau  in  dem  Schloss  von  den  Schweizer  Briidern  uiid  andern  rechtsrlaubigen  Christen 
bin  und  her  gedichtet  worden.  Several  editions  of  this  hymn  book  have  been  pnblishecl. 
A  copy,  which  Wackernas:el  thinks  belongs  to  the  17th  century,  is  in  the  Mennonite  library 
at  Anisterda-n.  Wackeriiairpl's  own  copv  was  published  at  Basel  in  1809.  The  library  of 
Newton  Theological  Institution  has  a  copy  published  at  Basel  in  1838. 

*  Passau  is  a  town  in  Bavaria,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Inn  and  the  Danube,  and  is 
ninety-two  miles  northeast  of  Munich.  With  its  two  castles  and  eight  smaller  works  of 
defence,  it  is  at  present  one  of  the  most  important  strongholds  on  the  Danube,  and  it 
was  relatively  as  strong  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation. 


2  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

of  Germany,  and  on  the  lips  of  the  common  people 
did  much  to  advance  the  reform  movement.  Luther's 
hymn,  together  with  two  other  martyr  hymns  com- 
posed by  followers  of  Luther,  one  in  1524,  and  one  in 
1525,  are  the  only  Lutheran  martyr  hymns  that  have 
come  down  to  us.  The  Anabaptists  furnished  the  martyrs 
from  this  time  on,  and  it  is  their  hymns  that  we  have 
in  the  collection  to  which  I  have  referred. 


FELIX  MANTZ. 

The  first  of  these  martyrs  Avas  Felix  Mantz,  a  Swiss 
Anabaptist.  He  was  a  native  of  Ziirich,  a  man  of 
scholarly  attainments,  and  from  the  beginning  of  the 
reform  movement  in  Switzerland  he  entered  into  it 
heartily,  standing  at  Zwingli's  side.  But  differences  at 
length  arose  in  reference  to  infant  baptism.  At  first 
Zwingli,  like  Luther,  thought  that  faith  before  baptism 
was  indispensable.  In  conversation  with  the  Anabap- 
tist leaders,  he  frequently  took  this  position.  As  he 
himself  afterward  confessed,  there  was  a  time  when 
he  believed  it  would  be  better  not  to  baptize  chiklren 
until  they  were  somewhat  advanced  in  years.  But  he 
at  length  changed  his  mind.  "  He  saw  that  the  setting 
aside  of  infant  baptism  was  the  same  as  the  setting 
aside  of  the  national  church,  exchano-ino*  a  hitherto 
national  reformation  of  the  church  for  one  more  or 
less  Donatist.  For  if  infant  baptism  were  given  up 
because  faith  was  not  yet  there,  then  there  only 
remained  as  the  right  time  for  it  the  moment  when 
living  faith  and  regeneration  were  certain.  And  then 
baptism  would  become  the  sign  of  fellowship  of  the 
regenerate,  the  saints,  who  bind  themselves  together 
as  aliens  out  of  the  world. "^  And  so  Zwingli  and  the 
Anabaptists  drew  apart,  and  the  latter  very  soon  be- 
came the  objects  of  relentless  persecution.     Mantz  was 

^  Dorner's  Geschicbte  d.  prot.  Theologie,  s.  293,  294. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  3 

at  length  arrested  and  thrown  mto  prison.  Jan.  5, 
1527,  he  was  sentenced  to  death.  Smce  he  had  em- 
braced Anabaptism,  he  was  told,  and  had  become  one 
of  the  leaders  in  the  Anabaptist  movement ;  since  he 
would  not  be  induced  to  retract  his  errors,  but,  in  spite 
of  the  edict  and  of  his  oath,  clung  to  his  errors,  sep- 
arating himself  from  the  Christian  church,  and  lab- 
oring to  organize  a  sect;  since,  further,  he  rejected 
the  magistracy  [which  Mantz,  however,  stoutly  denied], 
opposed  the  death  penalty,  to  the  destruction  of  the 
common  Christian  peace,  —  he  should  be  delivered  to 
the  executioner,  who  should  bind  his  hands,  place  him 
in  a  boat,  and  throw  him,  bound,  into  the  water,  there 
to  die. 

Mantz  received  his  sentence  in  a  true  martyr  spirit. 
In  an  exhortation  which  he  left  to  his  brethren,  for 
their  comfort  and  admonition,  he  said :  "  My  heart  re- 
joiceth  in  God,  who  giveth  me  such  understanding, 
and  guideth  me,  that  I  may  escape  eternal  death. 
Therefore  I  praise  thee,  0  Christ,  Lord  of  heaven,  that 
thou  succorest  me  in  my  affliction  and  sorrow,  which 
the  Savior  God  hath  sent  me  for  an  example  and  a 
light,  who  hath  called  me  to  his  heavenly  kingdom  be- 
fore my  end  is  come,  that  I  may  have  eternal  joy  with 
him,  and  love  him  in  all  his  judgments,  which  shall 
endure  both  here  and  hereafter  in  eternity,  without 
which  nothing  avails  or  subsists." 

In  this  spirit  Mantz  went  to  execution.  Bullinger 
says  that  as  he  was  led  to  the  boat  he  praised  God  that 
he  was  about  to  die  for  the  truth.  When  bound  upon 
the  hurdle,  and  about  to  be  thrown  into  the  stream,  he 
sang  with  a  loud  voice,  "Into  thy  hands,  0  Lord,  I  com- 
mend my  spirit."  The  waters  then  closed  over  him, 
and  he  obtained  the  martyr's  crown.  His  heroic  death 
was  reported  far  and  wide.  Capito,  a  friend  of  Zwingli, 
wrote  to  the  latter  from  Strasburg,  Jan.  22,  1527  :  "  It  is 
reported  here,  that  poor  Felix  Mantz  has  suffered 
punishment,  and  died  gloriously,  on  which  account  the 


4  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

cause  of  truth  and  piety  which  you  sustain  is  greatly 
depressed." 

Mantz's  martyr  hymn  contains  eighteen  stanzas  of 
seven  lines  each.  It  expresses  his  joy  in  God,  and 
praises  him  for  salvation  through  Christ,  who  com- 
pels no  man  to  accept  his  righteousness,  but  welcomes 
all  who  repent  of  their  sins  and  obey  his  commandments. 
The  hymn  opens  with  these  lines : 

Mit  lust  so  will  ich  singen, 

Mein  Hertz  freut  sicli  in  Gott, 
Der  mir  vil  kunst  thut  bringen, 

Das  ich  entrinn  dem  Todt 
Der  ewiglich  nimmet  kein  endt. 

Ich  preiss  dich  Christ  von  Himmel, 
Der  mir  mein  kummer'wendt. 

With  rapture  I  will  sing, 

Grateful  to  God  for  breath, 
The  strong,  almighty  King 

Who  saves  ray  soul  from  death, 
The  death  that  has  no  end. 

Thee,  too,  O  Christ,  I  praise, 
Who  dost  thine  own  defend. 


MICHAEL  SATTLER. 

Not  so  much  is  known  of  Michael  Sattler,  another 
of  the  Swiss  Anabaptist  martyr  singers.  His  home 
was  in  Staufen,  Breisgau,  and  before  connecting  him- 
self with  the  reform  movement  he  was  a  monk.  He 
was  arrested  by  the  authorities  in  Ziirich  in  the  latter 
part  of  1525,  and  was  banished  from  the  canton.  He 
was  afterward  arrested  in  Strasburg,  and  May  21, 1527, 
at  Rotenburg  on  the  Neckar,  his  tongue  was  torn  out, 
while  his  body  was  lacerated  with  hot  tongs  and  then 
burned.  His  character  was  such  that  the  Strasburg 
evangelical  pastors,  after  his  death,  did  not  hesitate  to 
call  him  a  martyr  of  Christ, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  5 

The  seventh  hymn  in  "  Auss  Bundt,"  containing  thir- 
teen stanzas  of  four  lines,  is  by  Michael  Sattler,  and 
has  the  ring  of  the  martyr  spirit ;  as,  for  example,  these 
lines : 

Wann  man  euch  nun  lastert  und  schmacht, 
Meinethalben  verfolgt  und  schlagt, 

Seyd  froh,  dann  sihe  euer  lohn, 

1st  euch  bereit  in  Himmels  Thron. 


Doch  forcht  euch  nicht  vor  solchem  mann, 

Der  nur  den  leib  getodten  kan : 

Sender  forcht  mehr  den  treuen  Gott, 
Der  bevdes  zu  verdamiuen  hat. 


O  Christe  hilff  du  deinem  Yolck, 
Welchs  dir  in  aller  treu  nachfolgt, 

Dass  es  durch  deinen  bittern  Todt, 
Erloset  wird  auss  aller  Noht. 

If  one  ill  treat  you  for  my  sake, 
And  daily  you  to  shame  awake, 
Be  joyful,  your  reward  is  nigh, 
Prepared  for  you  in  Heaven  on  high. 


Of  such  a  man  fear  not  the  will, 

The  body  only  he  can  kill; 

A  faithful  God  the  rather  fear, 
Who  can  condemn  to  darkness  drear. 


O  Christ,  help  thou  thy  little  flock, 
Who  faithful  follow  thee,  their  Rock; 

By  thine  own  death  redeem  each  one, 
And  crown  the  work  that  thou  hast  done. 


6  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

GEORGE  WAGNER. 

George  Wagner  was  pastor  of  the  Anabaptist  church 
in  Munich.  He  was  a  man  of  irreproachable  charac- 
ter, and  his  holy  hfe  commended  to  all  about  him  the 
Gospel  which  he  delighted  to  preach.  Every  possible 
effort  was  made  to  induce  him  to  deny  the  doctrines 
he  had  accepted,  but  in  vain;  and  at  length  he  was 
thrown  into  prison.  There  he  was  visited  by  the  Duke 
who  first  by  means  of  the  Scriptures,  and  then  by 
means  of  promises,  endeavored  to  secure  his  recanta- 
tion. But  Wagner  was  immovable,  and  he  was  at 
length  condemned  to  death.  On  his  way  to  execution 
— it  was  sometime  in  1527, — his  wife  and  children  im- 
plored him  to  abandon  his  heresy  and  save  his  immor- 
tal soul.  All  these  and  other  equally  earnest  entreaties 
were  unavailing.  At  the  stake  Wagner  lifted  his  eyes 
toward  heaven  and  offered  this  petition  :  "  Father,  my 
Father,  there  is  much  in  the  world  that  is  dear  to  me, 
my  wife,  my  children,  my  life.  But  dearer  than  wife, 
children  and  life  art  thou,  my  Father !  Nothing  shall 
separate  me  from  thy  love.  To  thee  I  consecrate  my- 
self wholly  as  I  am  in  life  and  in  death; "  and  he  added, 
"I  am  ready;  I  know  what  I  am  doing."  Then  joy- 
fully he  turned  to  his  executioners  and  welcomed  the 
flames  in  which,  as  in  a  chariot,  his  spirit  ascended  to 
the  skies. 

The  following  is  the  first  stanza  of  a  hymn,  34  in 
" Auss  Bundt,"  written  by  Wagner: 

Den  Yatter  -wolln  wir  loben 

Der  uns  erloset  hat, 
Im  Himmel  hoch  dort  oben, 

Durch  seines  Sohnes  Todt, 
Welcher  er  hat  gegeben 

Zu  versohnen  unser  Siind, 
Dass  wir  im  Glauben  leben, 

Als  seiu  gehorsam  Kind. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS. 

We  praise  our  Father,  God; 

To  him  hosanuas  bring, 
Who  saves  us  by  the  precious  blood 

Of  our  atouiug  King, 
The  Son  whom  he  has  given 

To  take  away  our  sin, 
That  faithful  as  his  children  here 

We  heaven  at  length  may  win. 


CARIUS  BINDER. 

Carius  BiiSTDER  was  a  cabinet  maker  in  Coburo-. 
Brought  at  length  under  the  influence  of  Hans  Hut, 
he  was  baptized  in  Stejer,  and  united  with  the 
"  Brethren."  Evidently  possessing  gifts  which  fitted 
him  to  become  a  teacher  of  the  word,  he  went  forth  as 
a  bearer  of  the  glad  tidings  to  others.  Salzburg  seems 
to  have  been  his  field  of  labor.  According  to  an  old 
chronicle,  he  and  thirty-eight  others  were  shut  up  in  a 
house  which  was  set  on  fire,  and  they  all  perished  in 
the  flames.  This  was  Oct.  25,  1527.  The  35th  hymn 
in  "  Auss  Bundt "  is  ascribed  to  Jorg  Steinmetzer,  but 
according  to  Dr.  Josef  Beck^,  on  authorities  which  he 
cites,  the  hymn  was  written  by  Binder.     It  commences, 

Wir  dancken  Gott  von  Hertzen, 
Der  vatterlichen  Treu. 

With  all  our  hearts  we  thank  thee, 
Thou  holy  one  and  true. 

The  hymn  contains  eleven  stanzas  of  eight  lines  each. 


LEONHART  SCHIEMER. 

Prominent  among  the  Anabaptists  in  Upper  Austria 
was  Leonhart  Schiemer.     He  belong-ed  to  a  g-ood  fam- 

O  O 

ily,  and  was  carefully  educated  at  Vienna   and  other 

1  Die  Geschichts-Jiiiclier  der  Wiedertiiufer  in  Oesterreich  Ungarn,  s.  57  note. 


8  BAPTI8T  HYMN  WRITERS 

places.  At  length  he  became  a  monk.  After  an  exper- 
ience of  six  years  in  a  monastery  of  the  bare-footed 
order  he  made  his  escape,  and,  not  long  after,  meeting 
Hubmeier,  and,  later,  Hans  Hut  and  Oswald  Glaidt,  who 
were  holding  religious  services  in  Vienna  in  secret,  he 
accepted  their  teachings  and  was  baptized.  At  once 
he  began  to  preach  the  new  evangel,  and  at  Steyer, 
whither  he  made  his  way  early  in  1527,  he  baptized  a 
number  of  converts.  Thence  he  proceeded  to  other 
places  in  Austria  and  Bavaria,  preaching  and  baptizing. 
In  the  Tyrol  he  was  recognized  by  a  Franciscan  monk, 
who  betrayed  him.  Having  been  arrested,  he  was 
brouo;ht  to  trial  and  sentenced  to  death.  He  was  be- 
headed  and  his  body  was  afterward  burned,  Jan.  14, 
1528,  at  Rotenburg  on  the  Inn,  where,  later,  seventy  of 
his  followers  also  sealed  their  faith  with  their  blood. 

From  a  fine  hymn,  31  in  "  Auss  Bundt,"  by  Schie- 
mer  (here,  however,  written  Schoner),  I  take  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Dein  heilge  Statt  hond  sie  zerstbrt, 

Deia  Altar  umgegrabeu, 
Darzu  auch  deiae  Knecht  ermordt 

Wo  sies  ergriffen  habcu. 
Nur  wir  alleia,  deiu  Hiiuffleiu  klein, 

Sind  wenig  iiberblieben , 
Mitschmach  und  schand,  durch  alle  Land 

Verjaget  und  vertrieben. 

Wir  sind  zerstreut  gleich  wie  die  Schaff, 

Die  keinen  Hirten  haben, 
Verlassen  unser  Hauss  und  Hoff , 

Und  sind  gleich  deu  Nachtsraben, 
Der  sich  auch  offt,  hiilt  in  Steinklufft, 

In  Felsen  und  Steinklufften 
1st  unser  gmach,  man  stellt  uns  nach, 

Wie  Vogelu  in  der  Lufften. 

Wir  schleichen  in  den  Walden  um, 

Man  sucbt  uns  mit  den  Hunden, 
Man  fiihrt  uns  als  die  Liiinmlein  stumm 

Gefangen  und  gebunden, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS. 

Man  zeigt  uns  an,  vor  jederman, 

Als  wiiren  wir  Auffriihrer, 
Wir  sind  geacht,  wie  Schaff  zur  schlacht, 

Als  Ketzer  und  Verfiihrer. 

Thine  holy  place  they  have  destroyed, 

Thine  altars  overthrown , 
And  reaching  forth  their  bloody  hands, 

Have  foully  slain  thine  own. 
And  we  alone,  thy  little  flock, 

The  few  who  still  remain, 
Are  exiles  wandering  through  the  land, 

In  sorrow  and  in  pain. 

"We  are,  alas,  like  scattered  sheep, 

The  shepherd  not  in  sight. 
Each  far  away  from  home  and  hearth. 

And,  like  the  birds  of  night 
That  hid 3  away  in  rocky  clefts, 

We  hffcve  our  rocky  hold, 
Yet  near  at  hand,  as  for  the  birds. 

There  waits  the  hunter  bold. 

We  wander  in  the  forests  dark, 

With  dogs  upon  our  track; 
And  like  the  captive,  silent  lamb 

Men  bring  us,  prisoners,  back. 
They  point  to  us  amid  the  throng. 

And  with  their  taunts  offend; 
And  long  to  let  the  sharpened  axe 

On  heretics  descend. 


HANS  SCHLAFFER. 

Another,  who  has  a  place  among  these  martyr  hymn 
writers,  was  Hans  Schlaffer.  From  1511,  to  1526,  he 
was  a  priest  in  the  Roman  Cathohc  church.  Convinced 
of  the  errors  of  that  church,  he  now  withdrew  from  it 
and  united  with  the  Anabaptists.  He  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  Anabaptist  leaders  in  Augsburg.  In 
Nuremberg  he  met  Hetzer  and  Denck.     In  the   last 


10  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

days  of  1527,  he  was  arrested  at  Schwatz.  A  strenu- 
ous effort  was  made  to  induce  him  to  yield  his  opposi- 
tion to  infant  baptism,  but  he  was  immovable.  The 
Scriptures  demand,  he  said,  that  we  believe  and  be 
baptized,  but  there  is  no  command  that  infants  be  bap- 
tized. He  was  accordingly  sentenced  to  death  and  was 
executed  by  the  sword  at  Schwatz,  early  in  1528,  with 
Lienhart  Frick,  an  associate,  and  nineteen  others,  all 
Anabaptists. 

Schlaifer  was  the  author  of  two  hymns,  one  com- 
mencing 

Ungnad  begehr  ich  nicht  von  dir, 

and  the  other, 

Herr  Vater,  raein  ewiger  gott. 

The  first  is  hymn    32    in  "Auss  Bundt,"  and   the 
opening  stanza  is  as  follows : 

Ungnad  begehr  ich  nicht  von  dir. 

O  Gott!  wollst  mir 
Mein  Siinde  night  zumessen, 
Dieweil  dieselben  Christus  hat 

Genug  erstatt, 
Eh  dann  ich  bin  gewesen, 

Ein  Eeind  war  ich, 

Du  liebtest  mich, 

TJnd  nalamst  mich  an 

Zu  Gnaden  schon, 

Gabst  mir  zu  gut 

Deins  Sohnes  Blut, 
Welchs  micli  von  siind  und  tod  erlosen  thut. 

Let  not  thine  anger  fall  on  me. 

O  God!  to  thee 
My  sin  is  fully  known, 
But  Jesus  Christ  has  died, 

And  satisfied 
The  guilt  that  was  mine  own. 

'Gainst  thee  I  strove, 

But  with  thy  love 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  H 

Thou  brought' St  me  near, 
Made  grace  appear, 
And  uow  th}^  Son, 
The  holy  One, 
The  sreat  and  all-atoaing  work  has  done. 


JOHN  LEOPOLD. 

John  Leopold,  who  had  been  a  tailor  in  Augsburg, 
and  was  highly  esteemed  as  a  citizen,  became  mterested 
in  the  new  religious  movement  and  united  with  the 
Anabaptist  church  in  that  city.  Later  he  became  a 
teacher  of  the  word,  and  aided  in  the  extension  ot 
Anabaptist  influences.  But,  with  others,  he  at  length 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  civil  authorities,  and  was 
condemned  to  death.  When  he  was  about  to  be  exe- 
cuted, word  was  brought  to  him  that  by  the  sword  he 
would  pass  from  life  to  death  "No,  gentlemen  of 
Augsburg,"  he  replied,  "but,  if  God  wills,  from  death 
to  life."     He  was  executed  Apr.  25,  15ib. 

Hymn  39  in  "  Auss  Bundt "  was  written  by  Leopold. 
The  following  are  the  first  and  last  stanzas  of  this 
hymn : 

Mein  Gott  dich  will  ich  loben, 

In  raeiner  letsten  Stund, 
Ini  Himmel  hoch  dort  oben, 

Mit  Hertzen  und  mit  Mund. 
O  Herr  du  bist  der  rechte  zart, 

Starck  du  mir  meinen  Glauben, 
Yetzt  muss  ich  auff  die  fahrt. 

Mein  Geist  und  auch  mein  Seele 

Befehl  ich  in  dein  Hand. 
Hilff  mir  auss  alle  Quele. 

Ach  Gott  von  mir  nicht  wend, 
Nimm  meinem  Fleisch  sein  grosse  Krafft 

Das  ich  mog  liberwinden, 
In  dir  werden  sieghafft. 


12  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

My  God,  thee  will  I  praise 

"When  my  last  hour  shall  come, 

And  then  my  voice  I  '11  raise 
Within  the  heavenly  home. 

O  Lord,  most  merciful  and  kind, 
Kow  strengthen  my  weak  faith, 

And  give  me  peace  of  mind. 

To  thee  in  very  deed 

My  spirit  I  commend, 
Help  me  in  all  my  need, 

And  let  me  ne'er  offend. 
Give  to  my  flesh  thy  strength, 

That  I  with  thee  may  stand 
A  conqueror  at  length. 


HANS  HUT. 

Another  Anabaptist  hymn  writer  was  Hans  Hut. 
He  was  a  native  of  Hain,  in  Franken,  and  during  the 
Peasants  War  he  was  found  among  the  followers  of 
Thomas  Miinzer.  Miinzer's  aims  were  political  rather 
than  religious.  He  would  right  the  wrongs  of  the  long 
down-trodden  peasants,  and  so  preaching  resistance  to 
the  rulers,  and  organizing  an  armed  force,  he  brought 
on  a  revolution.  Miserably  defeated  May  15,  1525,  at 
Frankenhausen,  Miinzer  was  made  a  prisoner,  and  was 
subsequently  beheaded,  with  twenty-four  of  his  associ- 
ates. In  this  effort  of  Miinzer's  the  Anabaptists  had 
no  part.  They  declined  to  engage  in  armed  resistance 
to  civil  authority.  They  were  in  sympathy  with  the 
oppressed  peasants,  but  would  bring  about  a  better 
state  of  things,  not  by  revolution,  but  by  restoring  prim- 
itive Christianity.  Beginning  in  Switzerland  the  move- 
ment extended  northward  into  Germany  and  among 
those  who  connected  themselves  with  it  was  Hans  Hut. 
Rhegius  says  he  was  baptized  by  John  Denck  at  Augs- 
burg. Like  other  of  the  "  Brethren"  he  became  at 
once  an  apostle  of  the  new  doctrine;  and  he  made  his 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  18 

way  into  Silesia,  Moravia,  and  Austria,  where,  unwea- 
ried in  his  labors,  he  drew  a  multitude  of  followers  to 
the  standard  of  the  cross.  "One  day,"  says  Corne- 
lius,^ "  Hut  entered  the  house  of  Franz  Strigel  in 
Weier,  in  Franken,  drew  from  his  pocket  a  small  book, 
read  the  word  of  God,  made  known  its  truths  until  the 
head  of  the  house  and  eight  others  received  baptism. 
The  same  night  he  continued  his  journey,  and  no  one 
of  those  baptized  had  seen  him  before  or  ever  saw 
him  again."  At  length,  sometime  in  1527,  he  was 
arrested  in  Augsburg  and  thrown  into  prison.  In  Dec, 
1528,  in  an  attempt  to  escape  from  the  prison.  Hut 
lost  his  life.  Though  his  enemies  could  not  now  inflict 
upon  him  the  punishment  they  anticipated,  they 
directed  that  his  body  should  be  burned.  It  was 
accordingly  taken  to  the  place  of  execution,  and  there 
publicly  committed  to  the  flames. 

The  following  hymn,  8  in  "  Auss  Bundt,"  Hut  wrote 
while  in  the  prison  at  Augsburg.  It  contains  twelve 
stanzas.  Those  given  below  are  the  seventh,  eighth 
and  ninth. 

Drum  hat  Gott  seinen  Sohn  gesandt, 
Der  uns  die  Warheit  macht  bekandt 

Und  audi  den  weg  zum  leben  : 

So  wir  darnach  thun  streben, 

Sein  Geist  will  er  uns  geben. 

Der  zeigt  uns  an  die  Heilig  Schrifft, 
Drinn  Gott  sein  Testament  gestifft, 

In  seinem  Sohn  so  reiche, 

In  aller  welt  zugleiche, 

Niemand  drum  von  ihm  weiche. 

Den  Todt  er  iiberwunden  hat, 

Ein  rechter  mensch  und  wahrer  Gott, 

Mit  Krafft  hat  ers  beweiset, 

Mit  warheit  uns  gespeiset, 

Darum  wird  er  gepreiset. 

>  Geschichte  des  Munsterischen  Aufruhrs,  II.  49. 


14  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

And  so  God  sent  his  Son,  his  own, 
Who  hatli  to  us  the  truth  made  known , 
His  holy  way  revealing. 
The  Spirit  to  us  sealing. 
And  bringing  heavenly  healing. 

He  points  us  to  his  holy  word. 
His  Testament,  in  which  the  Lord 
Appears  our  nature  Avearing, 
His  Father's  glory  sharing, 
No  one  with  him  comparing. 

He  man,  and  also  very  God, 
Beneath  his  feet  grim  death  hath  trod, 
With  truth  himself  arraying, 
His  mighty  power  displaying, 
And  all  our  fears  allaying. 


LUDWIG  HETZER. 

The  most  prominent  of  these  martyr  hymn  writers 
was  Lndwig  Hetzer.  He  was  a  learned  man,  and  early 
joined  the  reform  movement.  We  first  hear  of  him 
in  1523,  in  connection  with  the  Second  Discnssion  at 
Ziirich,  in  Switzerland.  January  21,  1525,  with  cer- 
tain Anabaptists,  he  was  banished  from  Ziirich,  and 
went  to  Augsburg.  This  place  he  was  soon  compelled 
to  leave,  and  we  next  find  him  in  Basel,  where  he  was 
kindly  received  by  OEcolampadius,  whose  work  on  the 
Lord's  Supper  he  translated  and  published.  Later  he 
made  a  translation  of  Malachi,  which  was  published  at 
Basel  in  1526.  Soon  after  he  appeared  at  Strasburg, 
where  he  fully  identified  himself  with  the  Anabaptist 
movement.  Here  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Denck, 
and  became  associated  with  him  in  a  translation  of  the 
Old  Testament  into  the  German  language.  In  July, 
1527,  Hetzer  was  in  Nuremberg  and  Augsburg.  In 
Augsburg  he  seems  to  have  remained  until  April,  1528, 
when  he  was  again  banished.     We  next  hear  of  hun 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  15 

at  Biscliofszell,  the  home  of  his  youth,  if  not  his  birth- 
place, a  vilhige  between  Constance  and  St.  Gall.  Here 
he  devoted  himself  to  the  preparation  of  one  or  two 
theological  works.  In  the  summer  of  1528,  he  was  in 
Constance,  where  there  was  a  small  circle  of  Anabap- 
tists. All  the  other  Anabaptist  leaders  either  had  died 
or  had  been  put  to  death.  Toward  the  end  of  Octo- 
ber Hetzer  was  arrested,  and  thrown  into  prison.  His 
trial  occurred  Feb.  3,  1529.  If  his  offence  had  refer- 
ence to  his  religious  views  he  could  only  be  impris- 
oned or  banished.  The  charge  brought  against  him 
was  adultery,  which  was  punishable  with  death.  Of 
this  crime  he  was  adjudged  guilty,  and  sentenced  to 
die. 

According  to  one  of  the  Zwinglian  pastors  at  Con- 
stance Hetzer  received  the  announcement  of  his  sen- 
tence with  indescribable  joy.  During  the  night  that 
followed  friends  were  permitted  to  be  with  him,  and 
at  his  request  they  made  the  place  resound  with 
psalms  and  hymns.  In  the  morning  he  addressed  the 
Zwinglian  pastors  and  others,  and  prayed  with  them. 
On  his  way  to  the  place  of  execution  he  referred  to 
his  companions  —  Mantz,  Hut,  Langenmantel,  Sattler, 
Hubmeier — who  had  obtained  the  martyr's  crown. 
Addressing  the  people,  he  said  "  Constance  ought  not 
to  have  God's  word  in  the  mouth  only,  but  exhibit  it 
in  the  life."  Thereupon  he  offered  up  a  fervent 
prayer,  so  that  many  of  the  people  wept  with  him, 
and  throughout  the  whole  of  his  progress  he  was 
cheerful  and  unappalled.  At  the  block  Hetzer  opened 
his  Hebrew  Bible,  and  in  a  loud,  clear  voice  translated 
the  twenty-fifth  Psalm.  Then  he  repeated  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  ending  his  supplication  with  the  words, 
"Through  Jesus  Christ,  the  Saviour  of  the  world  by 
his  blood."  After  this  he  laid  his  head  upon  the  block 
and  received  the  fatal  stroke.  "A  nobler  and  more 
manful  death,"  says  John  Zwick,  a  Zwinglian,  "was 
never  seen  in  Constance.  .  .  .  We  were  all  with  him 


16  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

to  his  end,  and  may  the  Almighty,  the  Eternal  God, 
grant  to  me,  and  to  the  servants  of  his  word,  like 
mercy  in  the  day  when  he  shall  call  us  home." 
Thomas  Blaurer,  another  Zwinglian,  wrote:  "No  one 
has  with  so  much  charity,  so  courageously,  laid  down 
his  life  for  Anabaptism  as  Hetzer.  He  was  like  one 
who  spoke  with  God  and  died." 

It  is  not  strange  that  recent  writers  have  given  no 
credit  to  the  evidence  on  which  Hetzer  was  condemned. 
Keller  says  the  charge  is  ''unproved  and  unprovable." 
Those  who  are  corrupt  in  heart  and  life  are  not  wont 
to  spend  their  last  hours  on  earth  in  such  tranquil 
communion  with  God,  or  to  die  so  triumphant  a  death. 
Hetzer's  entire  record,  and  his  published  writings,  are 
strong  witnesses  to  the  purity  of  his  heart  and  the 
uprightness  of  his  life.  He  loved  God's  word,  and  he 
ever  insisted  upon  loyalty  to  its  commands.  The  Mo- 
ravian Chronicle  states,  what  will  doubtless  be  the  ver- 
dict of  history,  that  Hetzer  died  for  "the  sake  of 
divine  truth,"  to  which  he  "nobly"  bore  witness  "by 
his  blood."  Unquestionably,  of  all  the  Anabaptist 
hymn  writers,  Hetzer  is  the  first.  One  of  his  hymns, 
included  by  Wackernagel^  in  his  masterly  work  on 
German  Hymnology,  is  based  on  the  thirty-seventh 
Psalm,  and  contains  twenty-three  stanzas  of  eight  lines 
each.     The  following  is  the  opening  stanza : 

Erzurn  dich  nit,  O  frommer  Christ, 

Vorm  neyd  thii  dich  behuten! 

Ob  schon  der  gottloss  reicher  ist, 

So  hilfft  doch  nit  seiu  wiiten; 

Mitt  beyn  und  haut  gleich  wie  dz  kraut 

Wiirt  er  jm  kurtz  abghawen, 

Sein  gwalt  vnd  reich  ist  eben  gleich 

Dem  grass  auff  griiner  auwen. 

Fret  not  thyself,  O  pious  heart, 
Though  evil  men  surround  thee; 
The  godless  may  be  richer  here, 
But  that  should  not  confound  thee; 

»  Das  Deutsche  Kirchenlied,  'Wackernagel,  1811,  s.  451453. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  17 

For  like  the  herb  in  yonder  field 
They  too  ere  long  shall  wither, 
And  all  their  gain  shall  disappear 
Like  grass,  they  know  not  whither. 

Hetzer  has  also  a  fine  hymn  for  the  strengthening 
and  estabUshing  of  faith,  and  another  suggested  by 
the  words  of  Paul  (Rom.  v.  4),  "And  patience,  experi- 
ence." The  last  stanza  of  the  former,  in  modern  dress, 
is  as  follows : 

Merk  auf,  O  "Welt,  mit  deiner  Pracht 

Kehr  ab  von  deinem  Leben, 

Bedenk  den  Tod  und  Gottes  Macht, 

Schau,  was  er  dir  will  geben. 

Thust  du  hie  Buss, 

Folgst  Christus'  Fuss 

Er  wird  dich  nicht  verdammen; 

Das  ewig  Reich 

Wirst  haben  gleich 

Mit  Jesu  Christo,  Amen. 

Attend,  O  world,  in  splendor  decked, 

Renounce  thy  works  and  ways; 

Reflect  that  death  will  soon  cut  short 

The  remnant  of  thy  days. 

Repent  of  sin, 

Let  Christ  within 

Redemption  work  for  thee; 

"When  all  is  past, 

"With  Christ  at  last, 

The  kingdom  thou  shalt  see. 


GEORGE  BLAUROCK. 

The  fifth  hymn  in  "Auss  Bundt"  was  written  by 
George  Blaurock.  We  first  hear  of  him  in  connection 
with  the  discussion  concerning  infant  baptism,  Jan.  17, 
1525,  which  was  followed  by  the  banishment  of  Het- 
zer, Reublin  and  others.  He  had  been  a  monk,  but 
had  renounced  his  former  faith,  and  was  now  arrayed 
2 


18  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

with  the  Swiss  Anabaptists  against  Zwingli.  On  ac- 
count of  his  oratorical  gifts  he  was  called  among  the 
"Brethren"  the  second  Paul,  and  his  earnest,  active 
efforts  to  advance  what  he  believed  to  be  the  truth, 
made  him  prominent  in  the  new  movement.  He  was 
soon  arrested  in  Zurich,  and  thrown  into  prison.  Sub- 
sequently he  was  sentenced  to  death  by  drowning. 
But  as  he  was  not  a  citizen  of  the  canton,  he  was 
beaten  with  rods,  and  allowed  to  leave  the  city  after 
having  taken  an  oath  never  to  return.  He  seems  to 
have  made  his  way  at  first  into  the  canton  of  Appen- 
zell.  In  1529,  having  been  arrested  in  the  Tyrol,  he 
was  burned  at  the  stake  in  Claussen. 

His  hymn  in  "Auss  Bundt"  (5)  contains  thirty-three 
stanzas  of  four  lines  each.  "  Keep  us.  Father,  through 
thy  truth,"  he  sings ;  "  daily  renew  us  and  make  us 
steadfast  in  persecution.  Leave  us  not,  thy  children, 
from  now  on  to  the  end.  Extend  to  us  thy  fatherly 
hand,  that  we  may  finish  our  course."  In  his  death, 
Blaurock  exemplified  the  truth  of  one  of  the  stanzas 
of  this  hymn:  "Blessed,"  he  says,  "are  those  in  all 
tribulation  who  cling  to  Christ  to  the  end,"  and  he 
adds : 

Wie  er  dann  selbst  gelitten  hat, 

Als  er  am  Creutz  gehangen, 
Also  es  jetzt  den  frommen  gaht, 

Sie  leideu  grossen  zwangen. 

As  he  himself  our  sufferings  bore 
When  hanging  on  the  accursed  tree. 

So  there  is  suffering  still  in  store 
O  pious  heart,  for  you  and  me. 


MARTIN  MALER. 

In  the  year  1531,  at  Gemimden,  in  Schwabia, 
Martin  Maler,  a  preacher  of  the  Word,  and  six  others, 
were  condemned  to  death,  and  executed.     They  were 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  19 

first  put  to  the  rack,  and  promised  their  freedom  if 
they  would  recant.  But  they  all  stood  firm.  At  the 
place  of  execution  Maler  commended  himself  and  his 
associates  to  God,  asking  that  he  would  grant  to  them 
a  blessed  end,  and  that  he  would  care  for  the  little 
flock  left  behind.  Maler  was  the  author  of  the  beau- 
tiful hymn 

Mit  Freuden  will  ich  singen, 
Loben  deu  liochsten  Gott. 

With  gladsome  voice  I  sing 
And  praise  thee,  mighty  God. 

With  his  imprisoned   companions  Maler  composed 
h3rmn  61  in  "Auss  Bundt," 

Aus  tieffer  N'oht  schrey  ich  zu  dir; 
Ach  Gott,  erhor  mein  riiffen. 

In  deep  distress  I  cry  to  thee; 
My  prayer,  O  God,  attend. 

In  an  old  chronicle  Maler  is  said  to  be  the  author  of 
three  "beautiful  hymns." 


PETER  RIEDEMANN. 

Maler  recalls  another  Anabaptist  hymn  writer, 
though  not  a  martyr,  Peter  Riedemann.  He  was  a 
native  of  Hirschberg,  in  Silesia,  and  died  at  Protzza, 
in  Hungary,  December  1,  1556,  when  about  fifty 
years  of  age.  He  was  a  highly  gifted  man,  and  by 
his  brethren  was  greatly  esteemed  for  his  own  and  for 
his  works'  sake.  For  preaching  the  Word  he  suffered 
imprisonment  several  times,  first  at  Gemunden,  in 
1527,  where  he  remained  in  prison  three  years  and 
four  weeks,  receiving  the  name  of  Peter  of  Gemun- 


20  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

den.  At  Nuremberg  he  was  imprisoned  four  years 
and  ten  weeks ;  at  Marburg,  in  Hesse,  two  years. 
An  old  chronicle  says:  "He  was  rich  in  divine  knowl- 
edge, and  was  as  a  water  fountain  which  overflows ; 
and  he  refreshed  all  those  wdio  listened  to  him.  He 
was  the  author  of  numerous  works  and  many  excel- 
lent hymns.     The  fine  hymn  (2)  in  "  Auss  Bundt," 

Wir  glauben  all  an  einen  Gott, 
Vnd  lieben  ibn  von  Hertzen, 

We  all  believe  in  one  true  God, 
And  love  bim  from  our  hearts, 

which  Fiisslin  erroneously  ascribes  to  John  Denck,  is 
ascribed  to  Riedemann  in  the  hymn  books  of  the  Ana- 
baptists. He  is  also  the  author  of  the  hymn  (37)  in 
"Auss  Bundt,"  wrongly  ascribed  to  Langenmantel,  of 
which  the  following  are  the  twelfth,  fourteenth  and 
sixteenth  stanzas: 

Las  uns  Herr  nicht  beflecken 

Die  Stind  noch  einig  Schuld, 
Und  nimm  vom  Fleisch  den  Scbreckeu 

Das  uns  abschrecken  vrolt, 
Aucb  in  deim  Werck  uns  halten  auff, 

Das  wir,  wann  man  uns  fordern  solt, 
Nicht  erligen  im  Streit. 

In  aller  Angst  und  ^tTohte, 

Darzu  in  Todes  pein, 
Gib  uns  das  Hinimelbrote, 

Send  uns  den  Troster  dein, 
So  der  ellenden  Vatter  ist, 

Und  die  Armen  reich  machet, 
Starcket  den  der  schwach  ist. 

Hilflf  uns  das  Feld  erhalten 

Mit  ihm  allein  auff  Erd, 
Lass  dein  Hiilff  ob  uns  walten, 

Schirm  uns  mit  deinem  Schwerdt, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  21 

AufE  dass  wir  als  die  Helden  dein, 

Mogen  die  Kron  erlangen, 
Und  ewig  bey  dir  seyn. 

O  Lord,  let  sin  nor  guilt 

Upon  us  bring  a  blot, 
Nor  terrors  of  the  flesli 

Assail  us  in  our  lot, 
But  in  thy  work  through  life 

May  we,  whate'er  betides, 
Ne'er  falter  in  the  strife. 

In  anguish  and  distress. 

Give  us  the  bread  of  heaven, 
And  in  the  pain  of  death 

Let  peace  to  us  be  given. 
Thou  Father,  full  of  love. 

Who  makest  rich  the  poor, 
O  strengthen  from  above. 

Help  us  the  field  to  hold. 

Our  strength  thy  holy  word, 
And  in  our  time  of  need 

Protect  us  by  thy  sword, 
That,  heroes  of  thine  own, 

We  in  eternity 
May  wear  the  heavenly  crown. 


HYMNS  BY  UNKNOWN  AUTHORS. 

At  the  close  of  a  volume  entitled  "  Miinsterische 
Geschichten,  Sagen  und  Legenden,"  are  several  Ana- 
baptist hymns.  The  names  of  the  writers  are  not 
given.  One  of  these  hymns  is  a  part  of  a  hymn  (97) 
in  "  Auss  Bundt."  There  is  nothing  to  indicate  that 
any  of  them  was  written  in  Miinster.  The  first  two 
are  entitled  "  Old  hymns  of  the  Anabaptists."  Rev. 
Franklin  Johnson,  d.  d.,  of  Cambridge^  Mass.,  has  ren- 


22  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

dered  into  English   verse  the   first  of   these   hymns, 
commencing 

O  lieber  Yater  und  Herzog  mild, 


as  follows 


Beloved  Father,  Lord  most  mild, 
Help  thou  and  shield  thine  every  child 
Who  in  these  last  dread  ages 
Thy  holy  battle  wages 
Where  many  a  serpent  rages. 

Arm  thou  with  valor  each  true  knight, 
And  guide  and  guard  him  in  his  fight 
With  evils  old  and  hoary, 
With  foeman  fierce  and  gory. 
And  thus  show  forth  thy  glory. 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  beloved  King, 
Thou  who  dids't  full  salvation  bring 
To  men  in  sorrow  lying, 
Hear  thou  thy  brethren  sighing. 
With  thirst  and  hiinger  dying. 

Feed  thou  our  hearts  with  bread  divine, 
And  let  the  stream  of  sweetest  wine 

That,  anguished,  thou  dids't  pour  us, 
From  head  to  feet  flow  o'er  us. 
To  cleanse  us  and  restore  us. 

Then  shall  we  go  our  way  with  joy; 
The  dog  shall  not  our  souls  annoy 

With  sword  or  flood  or  fire ; 

Nor  shall  we  fear  the  ire 

Of  any  monster  dire. 

Then  all  the  words  that  thou  has  said 
We  glad  shall  eat,  as  they  were  bread. 
And  march  where  thou  art  going. 
With  warrior  trumpets  blowing, 
The  highest  walls  o'erthrowing. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  23 

Ah,  God,  thy  children  wander  bare, 
Though  thou  hast  might  beyond  compare; 
With  raiment  cheer  their  sadness, 
That  they  may  preach  with  gladness 
To  men  in  error's  madness. 

Ye  people  cleansed  with  precious  blood, 
Give  thanks  and  praise  alone  to  God; 

He  saves  when  we  implore  him. 

And  smites  his  foes  before  him, 

Till  worlds  in  awe  adore  him. 

If  we  in  trouble  trust  his  name. 

We  need  not  fear  a  world  in  flame; 
Our  flesh,  the  dogs  may  tear  it; 
But  he  will  guard  the  spirit 
Through  Christ's  sufficient  merit. 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  strong  Son  of  God, 
Remember  in  these  days  of  blood 

Thy  walls  so  breached  and  battered. 

Thy  church  so  sorely  shattered. 

Thy  people  peeled  and  scattered. 

We  thank  and  praise  thee  day  by  day, 
And  from  our  hearts  devoutly  pray 

That  thou  woulds't  now  and  ever 

Thy  prisoners'  fetters  sever. 

And  let  them  perish  never. 

The  first  stanza  of  hymn  97  in  "  Auss  Bundt"  is  as 
follows : 

Wolauff,  Wolauff,  du  Gotts  Gemein, 

Heilig  und  i*ein, 
In  diesen  letzten  Zeiten, 
Die  du  eim  Mann  erwehlet  bist, 

Heist  Jesus  Christ, 
Thu  dich  ihm  zubereiten. 

Leg  an  dein  Zier  / 

Dana  er  kommt  schier, 

Darum  bereit, 

Das  Hochzeit  Kleid, 

Dann  er  wird  schon. 

Die  Hochzeit  hon, 
Dich  ewig  nit  mehr  von  ihm  lohn. 


24  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Dr.  Johnson  translates : 

The  church  of  God,  good  cheer,  good  cheer, 

So  holy  here 
In  days  when  none  bested  thee, 
Know  this:  thou  art  Christ's  chosen  bride, 

Who  for  thee  died. 
And  swift  he  comes  to  wed  thee ; 

With  raiment  fair 
And  jewels  rich  and  rare 

Thy  form  adorn, 

For  hastes  the  morn 

When  thou  shalt  eat 

This  banquet  sweet. 
And  be  with  endless  joy  complete. 

The   last   of  these    anonymous   hymns    is    entitled 
"  Hymn  of  an  Anabaptist  Prisoner,"   and  commences 

Ach  Gott  ich  muss  dir  klagen 
Mit  surfzen  manuichfalt. 

This  stanza  Dr.  Johnson  renders  thus : 

Oh  God  of  my  salvation. 

Regard  my  tears  and  sighs ; 
Against  thy  lowly  servant 

The  violent  arise. 
'T  is  for  thy  word  I  suffer 

These  bitter  days  of  pain. 
And  must  lie  bound  in  prison, 

And  afterward  be  slain. 


These  are  specimens  only  of  the  hymns  of  the  Ana- 
baptists of  Switzerland  and  Germany  at  the  time  of  the 
Reformation.  The  hymns  of  the  Netherland  Anabap- 
tists are  of  a  like  character.  The  number  of  these 
hymns  is  large,  but  their  value  lies  chiefly  in  this,  that 
in  them,  as  nowhere  else,  the  spirit  of  the  Anabaptist 
movement  of  the  sixteenth  century  finds  a  voice. 
The  term  "Anabaptist,"  until  recently,  has  stood  for 
the  revolutionary  and  fanatical  element  in  the  early 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  25 

conflict  between  Protestantism  and  Roman  Catholicism. 
But  the  great  majority  of  the  Anabaptists  of  the  period 
of  the  Reformation  were  law-abiding,  peaceable  men. 
Their  hymns  are  a  witness  to  this  fact.  Liliencron,  in 
his  paper,  "  A  Contribution  to  the  Hymnology  of  the 
Anabaptists,"  ^  published  by  the  Bavarian  Academy  of 
Sciences  (Munich,  1875),  says  there  is  in  these  Ana- 
baptist hymns  no  trace  of  anything  revolutionary  or 
fanatical.  The  dogmatical  element  in  them  is  almost 
entirely  wanting.  There  is  little,  even,  that  is  polem- 
ical. The  Anabaptists  believed  with  all  their  hearts 
in  the  redemption  by  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  but 
they  also  believed  that  the  work  of  grace  which  is 
wrought  by  the  Spirit  in  the  heart  will  appear  in  the 
life.  In  these  hymns  the  moral  aspects  of  the  Chris- 
tian life  are  accordingly  made  prominent.  Faith  and 
love  are  exalted,  and  steadfastness  in  persecution, 
even  unto  death,  is  exhibited  as  the  mark  of  true  dis- 
cipleship.  Some  of  these  hymns,  as  the  preceding 
pages  show,  were  written  in  the  near  prospect  of 
death,  and  were  sung  with  the  block  or  the  fagot  in 
full  view.  These  martyr  hymns  had  their  special  mis- 
sion in  strengthening  fellow  disciples  for  the  trial  of 
faith  which  was  sure  to  come.  But  there  were  many 
Anabaptist  hymns  which  were  purely  devotional,  giv- 
ing glad  if  not  always  beautiful  expression  to  the 
devout  sentiments  of  truly  pious  hearts.  These  and 
the  martyr  hymns  were  the  cherished  possession  in 
many  an  Anabaptist  home,  and  next  to  the  Word  of 
God  were  oftenest  on  the  lips  of  the  scattered  mem- 
bers of  the  Anabaptist  host  from  the  Alps  to  the  Bal- 
tic and  the  North  Sea,  and  from  Bohemia  to  the  bor- 
ders of  France.  That  they  have  been  preserved  is  an 
occasion  for  devout  gratitude.  They  are  worthy  of 
the  recent  recognition  they  have  received,  and  of  the 
place  they  have  already  found  in  the  great  treasure- 
house  of  Christian  song. 

1  Mittheilunjren  aus  dem  Gebiete  der  offentlichen  Meinung  in  Deutscbland  warend 
der  zweiten  Halfte  des  16.  Jahrhunderts.  Von  Frhr.  v.  LUieucron.  III.  Zur  Liederdich- 
tung  der  Wiedertaufer. 


ENGLISH  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND   THEIR   HYMNS. 


JOHN  BUNYAN. 

1628-1688. 

It  is  only  a  slender  tie  by  which  Bunyan  is  united 
to  the  hymn  writers  of  the  church.  Dr.  Belcher 
("Historical  Sketches  of  Hymns,"  page  104)  is  author- 
ity for  the  statement  that  some  lines  written  by  the 
immortal  dreamer  of  Bedford  jail,  and  found  in  the 
Second  Part  of  the  "Pilgrim's  Progress,"  have  "long 
been  used  in  some  of  the  Baptist  churches  in  England 
at  the  admission  of  members."  They  are  the  words 
Bunyan  puts  into  the  lips  of  Mercy,  as  she  and  Chris- 
tiana set  out  on  their  pilgrimage  to  the  Celestial  City. 

Let  the  Most  Blessed  be  my  guide, 

If  't  be  his  blessed  will, 
Unto  his  gate,  into  his  fold, 

Up  to  his  holy  hill. 

And  let  him  never  suffer  me 

To  swerve  or  turn  aside 
From  his  free  grace  and  holy  ways, 

Whate'er  shall  me  betide. 

And  let  him  gather  them  of  mine 

That  I  have  left  behind; 
Lord,  make  them  pray  they  may  be  thine 

With  all  their  heart  and  mind. 

There  are  other  lines  in  the  Second  Part,  which  the 
readers  of  the  "Pilgrim's  Progress"  will  recall,  espe- 


28  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

cially  those  which  Bunyan  puts  into  the  lips  of  the 
shepherd  boy,  commencing 

He  that  is  down  needs  fear  no  fall; 

He  that  is  low  no  pride ; 
He  that  is  humble  ever  shall 

Have  God  to  be  his  guide. 

Those  given  above,  however,  so  far  as  I  am  aware, 
are  the  only  lines  by  Bunyan  that  have  been  sung. 
Had  Bunyan  lived  a  century  later,  the  treasury  of 
Christian  song  would  doubtless  have  been  greatly  en- 
riched by  hymns  from  his  pen. 

John  Bunyan  was  born  in  Elstow,  near  Bedford,  in 
1628.  The  record  of  his  christening  in  Elstow  church 
is  as  follows :  "•  1628.  John  the  sonne  of  Thomas 
Bonnionn,  Junr.  the  oOth  of  Novemb."  His  parents 
were  poor,  but,  as  he  tells  us,  ''  It  pleased  God 
to  put  it  into  their  hearts  to  put  me  to  school  to 
His  parents  were  poor,  but,  as  he  tells  us,  "It  pleased 
God  to  put  it  into  their  hearts  to  put  me  to  school  to 
learn  both  to  read  and  write."  His  advantages,  how- 
ever, were  of  the  most  meagre  kind,  and  not  long  en- 
joyed, for  he  early  passed  from  the  school-room  to  his 
father's  workshop.  In  his  sixteenth  year  his  mother 
died,  and  a  few  weeks  later  his  sister  Margaret.  His 
father  almost  immediately  remarried,  and  thencefor- 
ward the  home  to  Bunyan  was  not  what  it  had  been. 
It  is  believed  that  his  experience  in  the  army,  to  which 
he  briefly  refers  in  his  "Grace  Abounding,"  belongs  to 
this  period.  The  army  was  disbanded  in  1646,  and 
Bunyan  returned  to  Elstow.  Two  or  three  years  later 
he  was  married.  Who  his  wife  was  we  do  not  know, 
but  she  evidently  came  from  a  godly  home,  and  de- 
sired to  have  her  own  home  like  that  from  which  she 
came.  The  four  years  that  followed  their  marriage 
were  the  years  of  Bunyan' s  spiritual  conflict,  Avhich 
he  has  so  vividly  portrayed.  Then,  at  the  end  of  the 
struggle,  came  peace.  "The  chains  fell  oE,"  and  the 
new  life  of  blessedness  began. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  29 

Bunyan  united  with  Mr.  Gifford's  church  in  Bed- 
ford, in  1653.  Two  years  later  he  made  Bedford  his 
home.  Here  his  wife  soon  died,  and  Bunyan  was  left 
to  be  both  father  and  mother  to  his  four  children. 
His  pastor,  Mr.  Gift'ord,  also  died  not  long  after  Bun- 
yan's  removal  to  Bedford,  and  Bunyan,  by  request 
of  his  brethren  who  had  discovered  his  gifts,  began 
to  preach.  Wherever  he  went  the  people  "came  to 
hear  the  word  by  hundreds,  and  that  from  all  parts, 
though  upon  Sunday  and  from  divers  accounts."  His 
right  to  preach  was  frequently  questioned,  and  in  No- 
vember, 16G0,  he  was  arrested,  and  soon  after  tried 
for  "devilishly  and  perniciously  abstaining  from  com- 
ing to  church  to  hear  divine  service,  and  for  being  a 
common  upholder  of  several  unlawful  meetings  and 
conventicles,  to  the  great  disturbance  and  distraction 
of  the  good  subjects  of  this  kingdom,  contrary  to  the 
law  of  our  sovereign  lord,  the  king."  Then  followed 
his  twelve  years'  imprisonment  in  Bedford  jail,  from 
1660  to  1672.  Three  years  of  liberty  succeeded. 
Then,  in  the  winter  and  early  spring  of  1675-76, 
Bunyan  was  again  in  prison,  and  it  was  during  this 
time  that  he  wrote  the  "Pilgrim's  Progress"  (Brown's 
Life  of  Bunyan,  page  253),  continuing  his  career  as 
an  author,  upon  which  he  entered  not  long  after  he 
began  to  preach.  The  "Pilgrim's  Progress"  has  been 
sold  in  many  editions  and  in  untold  numbers  of  copies, 
in  all  English-speaking  lands,  and  has  been  translated 
into  between  seventy  and  eighty  languages  and  dia- 
lects, and  is  continually  appearing  in  new  forms  and 
new  languages.  Rufus  Choate  once  called  the  speech 
of  Mr.  Standfast,  near  the  close  of  the  Second  Part, 
"  the  most  mellifluous  and  eloquent  talk  that  was  ever 
put  together  in  the  English  language."  Of  Bunyan's 
"Holy  War,"  Lord  Macaulay  says,  "If  the  ^Pilgrim's 
Progress'  did  not  exist,  it  would  be  the  best  allegory 
that  ever  was  written." 

Bunyan's  last  years  were  years  of  busy  work  as  a 


30  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

writer  and  a  preacher.  Wherever  he  went  crowds 
came  together  to  listen  to  his  words.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  London,  August  31,  1G88,  and  lie  was  buried 
in  Bunhill  Fields. 


BENJAmX  REACH. 

1640-1704. 

BEXJA:^nN'  Keach  was  born  in  Stokehaman,  Bucking- 
hamshire, Feb.  29,  1G40.  Converted  in  his  fifteenth 
year,  he  united  with  a  neighboring  Baptist  church, 
and  three  years  later  he  began  to  preach.  In  1662, 
the  Act  of  Uniformity  was  passed,  and  at  one  of  his 
meetings  Keach  was  seized  by  four  troopers  who 
threatened  to  trample  him  to  death  under  their  horses* 
feet,  but  he  was  providentially  rescued  by  one  of  their 
officers.  In  1664,  Mr.  Keach  pubUshed  "The  Child's 
Instructor,  or  a  New  and  Easy  Primer."  For  this  he 
was  indicted  and  brought  to  trial  at  the  Aylesbury 
Assizes,  which  began  October  8,  before  Lord  Chief 
Justice  Hyde,  afterward  Lord  Clarendon,  who  in- 
structed the  jury  to  bring  in  a  verdict  of  guilty. 
This  they  did,  and  Mr.  Keach  was  sentenced  to  be  im- 
prisoned for  a  fortnight ;  then  to  stand  the  next  Satur- 
day upon  the  pillory  at  Aylesbury,  in  the  open  market, 
from  eleven  o'clock  till  one,  with  a  paper  on  his  head 
bearing  this  inscription  :  "  For  writing,  printing  and 
publishing  a  schismatical  book";  the  next  Thursday  to 
stand  in  the  same  manner  and  for  the  same  time  in 
the  market  at  Winslow;  then  to  have  his  book  burned 
by  the  common  hangman.  He  was  also  required  to 
forfeit  to  the  King's  majesty  the  sum  of  twenty 
pounds,  and  to  remain  in  jail  until  he  could  find  sure- 
ties for  good  behavior  and  appearance  at  the  next 
assizes  ;  and  lastly,  to  renounce  his  doctrines,  and  make 


AND  THEm  HYMXS.  31 

such  public  submissions  as  should  be  required.  ••'  I 
hope,"  said  Keach  to  his  lordship,  '•  I  shall  never  re- 
nounce the  truth  which  I  have  written  in  that  book," 
and  this  part  of  the  sentence  was  not  insisted  upon. 

In  166S,  Mr.  Keach  accepted  an  invitation  to  be- 
come pastor  of  a  small  Particular  Baptist  church, 
which  met  in  a  private  house  in  Toole y  Street,  London. 
After  the  Declaration  of  Indulgence  enacted  in 
1672,  a  meeting-house  was  erected  at  the  corner  of 
Goat  Street,  Horsley-down,  Southwark.  Here  his  ser- 
vices were  attended  by  large  audiences,  and  it  be- 
came necessary  to  enlarge  the  house  ag^ain  and  aorain. 
Up  to  this  time  Baptists  in  England  were  opposed  to 
singing  as  a  part  of  worship,  but  Mr.  Keach  now.  with 
the  consent  of  his  church,  introduced  the  practice  of 
singing  a  h\min  at  the  Lord's  Supper.  Later,  there 
was  singing  in  the  church  on  Thanksgiving  days. 
Finally,  about  the  year  1690,  the  church,  only  a  few 
dissenting,  voted  to  sing  a  hpnn  every  Lord's  day, 
after  the  sermon,  so  that  those  who  were  opposed  to 
this  part  of  the  ser\'ice  could  "  go  freely  forth."  In 
1691,  Mr.  Keach  published  a  work  in  favor  of  the  new 
practice,  entitled  *•  The  Breach  repau'ed  in  God's  Wor- 
ship, or  Singing  of  Psalms,  H^•mns.  and  Spiritual  Songs 
proved  to  be  a  holy  ordinance  of  Jesus  Christ." 

Mr.  Keach  was  a  voluminous  writer.  His  two  most 
popular  works  were  -  Tropologia,  or  a  Key  to  Open 
Scripture  Metaphors,"  and  ••  Gospel  Mysteries  Un- 
veiled, or  an  Exposition  of  the  Parables."  He  was 
also  the  author  of  some  poetical  compositions,  the 
most  important  of  which  were  "  Zion  in  Distress,  or 
the  Groans  of  the  Protestant  Church."  first  pubUshed 
in  1666,  and  his  "Distressed  Zion  Relieved,  or  the 
Garment  of  Praise  for  the  Spirit  of  HeaWness,"  pub- 
lished after  the  Revolution.  He  also  pubhshed.  in 
1691,  a  collection  of  hymns  entitled  -  Scriptural  Mel- 
ody," containing  nearly  three  hundred  h\^nns.  None 
of  them  are  now  in  use.     The  foUowiug  is  number  15 : 


32  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

PSALM   LXXXIV.   1.      "  THE  LORD  GOD  IS  A  SUN  AND  SHIELD." 

The  Lord,  he  is  our  sun  and  shield. 

Our  buckler  and  safeguard, 
And  hence  we  stand  and  will  not  yield, 

Though  enemies  p,ress  hard. 

Like  as  a  shield  the  blow  keeps  off 

The  enemy  lays  on, 
So  thou  keeps  off  all  hurt  from  us, 

And  saves  us  every  one. 

Let  foes  strike  at  us  as  they  please, 

On  the  head  or  the  heart; 
This  precious  shield  which  we  do  use 

Secures  us  every  part. 

From  sin,  from  satan  and  the  world 

No  art  we  need  to  fear. 
Since  thou  art  such  a  shield  to  us, 

O  God  and  Savior  dear! 

Our  shield  and  our  great  reward. 

To  thee  all  praise  be  gi  ven ; 
Who  with  thy  saving  help  afford 

Until  we  come  to  heaven. 

Mr.  Keach  remained  pastor  of  the  church  at  Hors- 
ley-down  until  his  death,  which  occurred  July  18, 
1704.  His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev. 
Joseph  Stennett. 


JOSEPH  STENNETT. 

1663-1713. 

The  name  of  Stennett  has  a  prominent  place  in 
English  Baptist  history,  and  also  in  Baptist  hymnol- 
ogy.     Joseph  Stennett  was  the  author  of  the  hymn, 

Another  six  days'  work  is  done. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  33 

and  many  other  good  hymns  which  are  still  in  use. 
His  grandson,  Samuel  Stennett,  was  the  author  of 

On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  stand, 

and  other  hymns  of  equal  merit.  Joseph  Stennett 
was  the  son  of  Rev.  Edward  Stennett,  a  dissenting 
minister,  who  enthusiastically  espoused  the  cause  of 
the  Parliament  and  the  Commonwealth.  After  the 
Revolution,  with  other  Nonconformists  who  had  been 
conspicuous  in  the  important  events  that  preceded,  he 
suffered  persecution  and  for  a  short  time  imprison- 
ment. Removing  at  length  to  Wallingford,  without 
abandoning  the  work  of  the  ministry,  he  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  medicine  in  order  to  support  his  fam- 
ily. Of  his  three  sons,  two  became  ministers  and  one 
a  physician. 

Joseph  was  born  at  Abingdon,  in  1663.  In  early 
life  he  made  a  profession  of  faith,  and  united  with  his 
father's  church.  Under  the  guidance  of  skilful  in- 
structors he  acquired  a  good  knowledge  of  philosophy 
and  theology,  also  of  the  French,  Italian,  Hebrew  and 
other  languages.  When  twenty-two  years  of  age  he 
went  to  London,  where  he  accepted  an  appointment 
as  a  teacher.  In  1688,  he  married  Susanna,  daughter  of 
George  Guill,  a  French  Protestant  refugee,  whose  es- 
tates had  been  confiscated  in  1685,  at  the  time  of  the 
Revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  and  who  was  now 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  London.  In  the 
following  year  Mr.  Stennett  was  called  to  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  church,  then  worship- 
ing in  a  hsill  in  Devonshire  Square,  London,  of  which 
his  father  had  for  a  while  been  pastor;  afterward 
removed  to  Pinner's  Hall.  He  preached  for  other 
churches  on  Sunday,  but  of  this  Seventh  Day  Baptist 
church  he  remained  pastor  until  his  death.  His  culti- 
vated intellect,  polished  manners,  and  high  Christian 
character  gave  him  a  commanding  position,  and  he 
was  greatly  esteemed  in  all  denominations.  At  the 
3 


34  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

request  of  his  brethren  he  prepared  and  presented  to 
William  III,  an  address  with  reference  to  his  deliver- 
ance from  the  "Assassination  Plot." 

His  first  published  poetical  work  was  a  poem  in 
commendation  of  Rev.  Samuel  Wesley's  "Ingenious 
Poem,  entitled  '  The  Life  of  Christ,'  etc.,  published 
anno,  1693."  In  1697,  he  published  "Hymns  for  the 
Lord's  Supper,"  thirty-seven  in  number,  all  of  his  own 
composition,  and  afterward  (in  the  third  edition,  1709) 
increased  to  fifty.     Among  these  are 

"  My  blessed  Savior,  is  thy  love," 
"  Gracious  Kedeemer,  how  divine," 
"  Thus  we  commemorate  the  day." 

A  version  of  Solomon's  Song  in  verse  (1700)  gave  Mr. 
Stennett  a  wide  reputation,  not  only  for  his  poetical 
gifts,  but  also  for  his  Hebrew  scholarship,  and  he 
was  requested  to  revise  the  English  version  of  the 
Psalms.  Dr.  Sharp,  Archbishop  of  York,  referring  to 
this  proposition,  said  "he  had  heard  such  a  character 
of  Mr.  Stennett,  not  only  for  his  skill  in  poetry,  but 
likewise  in  the  Hebrew  tongue,  that  he  thought  no 
man  more  fit  for  that  work  than  he." 

In  1712,  Mr.  Stennett  published  twelve  hjrtnns,  en- 
titled "  Hymns  for  the  Celebration  of  the  Holy  Ordi- 
nance of  Baptism."  These  were  long  in  use  in  Bap- 
tist churches.     Among  them  were 

''  The  great  Redeemer  we  adore," 

"  Thus  was  the  great  Redeemer  plunged." 

The  hymn  beginning 

Another  six  days'  work  is  done 

contained  fourteen  stanzas  in  its  original  form.  Of 
these,  the  1st,  10th,  11th  and  13th  stanzas  only  are 
generally  retained.     In  Rippon's  "  Selection  "  six  stan- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  35 

zas  are  given.     In  Rippon,  also,  the  following  sacra- 
mental hymn  by  Stennett  is  inserted  (482) : 

Lord,  at  thy  table  I  behold 

The  wonders  of  thy  grace; 
But  most  of  all  admire  that  I 

Should  find  a  welcome  place,  — 

I,  that  am  all  defiled  with  sin, 

A  rebel  to  my  God; 
I,  that  have  crucified  his  Son, 

And  trampled  on  his  blood. 

What  strange,  surprising  grace  is  this, 

That  such  a  soul  has  room ! 
My  Savior  takes  me  by  the  hand, 

My  Jesus  bids  me  come. 

Eat,  O  my  friends,  the  Savior  cries. 

The  feast  was  made  for  you ; 
For  you  I  groaned,  and  bled,  and  died. 

And  rose,  and  triumphed  too. 

With  trembling  faith,  and  bleeding  hearts, 

Lord,  we  accept  thy  love; 
'T  is  a  rich  banquet  we  have  had. 

What  will  it  be  above  ? 

Ye  saints  below,  and  hosts  of  heaven, 

Join  all  your  praising  powers ; 
No  theme  is  like  redeeming  love. 

No  Savior  is  like  ours. 

Had  I  ten  thousand  hearts,  dear  Lord, 

I  'd  give  them  all  to  thee; 
Had  I  ten  thousand  tongues,  they  all 

Should  join  the  harmony. 

In  the  English  "  Baptist  Hymnal "  this  hymn  is  in- 
cluded, with  the  omission  of  the  second  stanza. 

Prominent  among  Stennett's  prose  writings  was  a 
reply,  which,  in  1704,  he  made  to  David  Russen's  "Fun- 
damentals without  a  Foundation,  or  a  True  Picture  of 
the  Anabaptists."  So  successful  was  he  in  this  work 
that  he  was  requested  to  write  a  history  of  the  Bap- 


36  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

tists.  He  commenced  to  collect  materials  for  such  a 
work,  but  did  not  live  long  enough  to  execute  his  pur- 
pose. He  died  July  11,  1713.  Among  his  last  words 
were,  "I  rejoice  in  the  God  of  my  salvation,  who  is 
my  strength  and  God."  He  left  a  widow  and  four 
children,  and  was  buried  in  the  churchyard  of  Hitch- 
enden,  Buckinghamshire.  The  epitaph  on  his  tomb- 
stone was  written  by  Dr.  Ward,  of  Gresham  College. 
His  complete  prose  and  poetical  works  (except  his 
reply  to  Russen)  were  published  in  four  volumes,  in 
1732. 


JAMES  FANCH. 

1704-1767. 

Rev.  James  Fanch  of  Romsey,  who  was  associated 
with  .  Rev.  Daniel  Turner  in  the  production  of  the 
hymn 

Beyond  the  glittering  starry  globe, 

was  born  in  1704,  and  died  December  12,  1767.  Rev. 
S.  B.  Brown,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Romsey, 
in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Francis  Jennings  of  Philadelphia, 
dated  June  23,  1870,  says  of  Mr.  Fanch :  "At  the 
close  of  the  year  1750,  during  the  time  he  was  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  church  at  Romsey,  a  spiritual  move- 
ment commenced  in  the  neighboring  village  (five  miles 
away)  of  Lockerly.  Those  whose  hearts  were  spec- 
ially influenced,  not  finding  the  bread  of  life  in  the 
parish  church  of  Lockerly,  repaired  to  Romsey  to  hear 
the  Rev.  J.  Fanch,  a  faithful  minister  of  Christ,  and  a 
man  of  classical  accomplishments.  In  1751,  a  house 
was  licensed  for  preaching  at  Lockerly.  Mr.  Fanch 
preached  to  them  on  Sunday  evenings  ;  much  good 
resulted  from  his  services,  and  soon  afterward  he  had 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  37 

the  pleasure  of  baptizing  sixteen  persons  at  the  neigh- 
boring village  of  Broughton,  which  possessed  a  baptis- 
tery. Shortly  after,  five  more  were  baptized,  and  in 
1753,  they  were  formed  into  a  church,  which  continued 
for  some  time  a  branch  of  that  at  Romsey.  Mr. 
Fanch  was  acknowledged  their  pastor,  and  preached  a 
sermon  at  the  foundation  of  the  church  from  Phil, 
i.  27,  which  he  afterward  printed,  with  others,  in  a 
volume  of  sermons.  Mr.  Fanch  continued  to  admin^ 
ister  the  ordinances  to  them  till  his  death.  He  also 
frequently  visited  and  preached  at  Southampton,  which 
at  that  time  had  no  Baptist  church." 

Mr.  Fanch  was  the  author  of  "  Free  Thoughts  on 
Practical  Rehgion"  (1761),  "A  Paraphrase  on  a  Select 
Number  of  the  Psalms  of  David,  done  from  the  Latin 
of  Buchanan,  to  which  are  added  some  Occasional 
Pieces  "  (1764),  and  "  Ten  Sermons  on  Practical  Sub- 
jects," (1767).  The  first  of  these  works  contains 
occasional  hymns. 

In  Rippon's  "  Baptist  Annual  Register,'*  Vol.  3,  p. 
471,  is  Fanch  and  Turner's  hymn. 

Beyond  the  glittering  starry  globe. 
The  following  are  the  stanzas  by  Mr.  Fanch : 

Beyond  the  glittering  starry  globe 

Far  o'er  the  eternal  hills, 
There,  in  the  boundless  worlds  of  light, 

Our  great  Eedeemer  dwells. 

Immortal  angels,  bright  and  fair, 

In  countless  armies  shine, 
At  his  right  hand,  with  golden  harps, 

To  oflEer  songs  divine. 

Hail!  prince,  they  cry,  forever  hail f 

Whose  unexampled  love 
Moved  thee  to  quit  these  glorious  realms 

And  royalties  above  1 

While  thou  dids't  condescend  on  earth 

To  suffer  rude  disdain, 
They  cast  their  honors  at  thy  feet, 

And  waited  on  thy  train. 


38  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Thro'  all  thy  travels  here  below, 

They  did  thy  steps  attend; 
Oft  gazed,  and  wondered  when  at  last 

The  scene  of  love  would  end. 

They  saw  thy  heart  tranfixed  with  wounds, 

Thy  crimson  sweat  and  gore ; 
They  saw  thee  break  the  bars  of  death, 

As  none  e'er  brake  before. 

They  brought  thy  chariot  from  above, 

To  bear  thee  to  thy  throne; 
Clapped  their  triumphant  wings  and  cried 

"  The  glorious  work  is  done." 

Abridgments  of  this  hymn,  usually  beginning 

Beyond  the  glittering  starry  skies, 

are  found  in  many  modern  hymn  books.     The  follow- 
ing is  the  inscription  on  Mr.  Fanch's  tombstone  : 

In  memory 

of 
James  Fanch 
who  died 
Dec'r.  12,  1767. 

Can  any  good  from  these  dead  ashes  rise? 
Yes,  if  they  warn  the  living  to  be  wise. 


DANIEL  TURNER. 

1710-1798. 

Mr.  Ttjrner  was  born  at  Blackwater  Park,  near  St. 
Albans,  Hertfordsliire,  March  1,  1710.  In  early  Hfe 
he  united  with  the  Baptist  church  at  Hemel-Hemp- 
Btead,  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  birth-place.     Having 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  39 

received  a  good  classical  education,  he  devoted  himself 
(1738)  to  the  work  of  teaching.  In  1741,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Hosier  Lane  Baptist  Church  at  Reading, 
on  the  Thames.  In  1748,  he  removed  to  Abingdon, 
Berkshire,  having  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  that  place,  a  position  which  he 
held  during  the  remainder  of  his  long  and  useful  life. 
He  died  September  5,  1798. 

Of  his  prose  writings,  the  more  important  are  "  A 
Compendium  of  Social  Religion  "  (1758),  "  Letters  Re- 
ligious and  Moral"  (1766),  "Short  Meditations  on 
Select  Portions  of  Scripture  "  (1771),  "  Dissertations  on 
Religion"  (1775),  "Essays  on  Religion"  (1780),  and 
"Expositions  on  Scripture"  (1790).  His  poetical 
writings  were  "  Divine  Songs,  Hymns  and  other 
Poems"  (1747),  and  "Poems,  Devotional  and  Moral" 
(1794).  Of  his  hymns  four  marked  "  D.  T."  appeared 
in  the  "  Collection  of  Hymns  "  (1769)  compiled  by  Dr. 
John  Ash  and  Dr.  Caleb  Evans,  viz  : 

"  With  thee,  great  God,  the  star  of  light," 
"  Welcome,  blessed  morning  to  our  eyes," 
"  Jesus,  full  of  all  compassion," 
"Faith  adds  new  charms  to  earthly  bliss." 

The  last  two  are  still  in  use,  and  the  first  of  the  two, 
as  given  in  this  early  collection,  is  as  follows : 

Jesus,  full  of  all  compassion, 

Hear  thy  humble  suppliant's  cry; 
Let  me  know  thy  great  salvation, 

See,  I  languish,  faint,  and  die. 

Guilty,  but  with  heart  relenting, 

Overwhelmed  with  helpless  grief, 
Prostrate,  at  thy  feet  repenting, 

Send,  Oh  send  me  quick  relief. 

Whither  should  a  wretch  be  flying, 

But  to  him  who  comfort  gives? 
Whither,  from  the  dread  of  dying, 

But  to  him  who  ever  lives  ? 


40  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

While  I  view  thee,  wounded,  grieving, 

Breathless,  on  the  cursed  tree. 
Fain  I'd  feel  my  heart  believing. 

That  thou  suffered  'st  thus  for  me. 

With  thy  righteousness  and  spirit, 

I  am  more  than  angels  blest, 
Here  with  thee,  all  things  inherit 

Peace,  and  joy,  and  endless  rest. 

Without  thee,  the  world  possessing, 

I  should  be  a  wretch  undone ; 
Search  through  heaven,  the  land  of  blessing, 

Seeking  good,  and  finding  none. 

Hear  then,  blessed  Savior,  hear  me, 

My  soul  cleaveth  to  the  dust; 
Send  the  Comforter  to  cheer  me, 

Lo !  in  thee  I  i)ut  my  trust. 

On  the  word  thy  blood  hath  sealed. 

Hangs  my  everlasting  all. 
Let  thine  arm  be  now  revealed. 

Stay,  Oh  stay  me,  less  I  fall! 

In  the  world  of  endless  ruin, 

Let  it  never,  Lord,  be  said, 
"  Here  's  a  soul  that  perished,  suing, 

Por  the  boasted  Savior's  aid!" 

Saved  —  the  deed  shall  spread  new  glory 
Through  the  shining  realms  above; 

Angels  sing  the  pleasing  story. 
All  enraptured  with  thy  love ! 

It  is  related  of  Rev.  Joseph  Ivimy,  author  of  the 
"  History  of  the  Enghsh  Baptists,"  that  when  con- 
victed of  sin  gospel  hope  first  entered  his  heart 
through  the  words  of  the  last  stanza  but  one  of  this 
hymn. 

Another  well  known  hymn  (as  already  stated), 

Beyond  the  glittering  starry  globe, 

was  a  joint  production  of  Daniel  Turner  and  James 
Fanch.     Duffield  ("English  Hymns,"  67)  says  it  was 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  41 

written  by  the  brothers  Berridge,  early  Wesleyans ;  but 
it  appears  in  the  volume  of  Turner's  hymns,  published 
in  1794,  and  in  a  letter  in  Rippon's  "  Register,"  dated 
February  22,  1791,  Mr.  Turner,  writing  to  Dr.  Rippon, 
says :  "  As  to  your  inquiry  concerning  the  hymn 
*  Jesus  seen  of  angels,'  it  is  true,  as  you  were  told  by 
our  good  brother  Medley,  that  one  part  of  it  was 
made  by  my  dear  friend,  the  Rev.  James  Fanch,  of 
Romsey,  and  the  other  part  by  me."  Of  this  hymn, 
which  originally  contained  twenty-eight  stanzas, 
Turner  wrote  all  from  the  eighth  stanza,  commencing 
"  Blest  angels." 

Of  Turner's  hymns,  nine  appeared  in  Rippon's 
"Selection."  In  a  note  to  the  442d  hymn,  Dr.  Rippon 
says :  "  For  the  alterations  made  in  this  and  several 
of  the  following  hymns  on  baptism,  I  am  indebted  to 
my  venerable  friend,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Turner  of  Abingdon." 


JOHN  NEEDHAM. 

1787  (?) 

Concerning  Mr.  Needham's  early  life  we  have  no 
information.  His  father  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Hitchen,  Hertfordshire,  and  the  son  entered 
upon  the  work  of  the  ministry,  but  where  I  have  not 
learned.  Probably  for  a  time  he  aided  his  father,  who 
supported  himself  in  part  by  teaching.  In  1746,  Mr. 
Needham  removed  to  Bristol,  where  he  was  associated 
with  Rev.  John  Beddome  in  the  pastorate  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  the  Pithay.  He  was  ordained  co- 
pastor  May  10,  1750.  Rev.  W.  R.  Stevenson  says : 
"  Mr.  Beddome  was  at  this  time  old  and  infirm,  and 
two  years  later  resigned  the  pastorate  altogether ;  but 
as  the  church  had  important  branches,  the  services  of 


42  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

two  ministers  were  absolutely  required.  A  Mr.  Tom- 
mas  was  invited  to  become  assistant  to  Mr.  Needham, 
but  would  only  accept  an  invitation  as  co-pastor  on  an 
official  equality  with  the  other  minister.  To  this  Mr. 
Needham  and  a  number  of  his  friends  objected.  True, 
the  church  had  been  accustomed  from  time  immemo- 
rial to  have  two  pastors,  but  the  plan  had  not  worked 
well,  so  that  in  1750,  when  Mr.  Needham  was  ordained 
co-pastor,  the  church  came  to  a  resolution,  recorded 
on  their  minute-book,  never  again  to  have  two  pas- 
tors, excepting  when,  as  in  that  case,  one  should  be 
partially  disabled  through  age  or  infirmity.  But  the 
majority  of  the  church  had  set  their  hearts  upon  Mr. 
Tommas,  and  determined  to  have  him  upon  his  own 
terms.  An  unhappy  conflict  ensued,  and  in  the  end 
the  majority  passed  a  resolution  pronouncing  Mr. 
Needham  to  be  no  longer  either  a  minister  or  member 
of  the  church  which  for  years  he  had  faithfully  served. 

"  There  was  in  Bristol  at  that  time  another  Baptist 
church,  worshiping  in  a  part  of  the  city  called  Callow- 
hill.  A  Mr.  Foot  was  their  pastor.  Mr.  Needham 
and  his  friends  applied  to  the  Callowhill  church  for 
the  use  of  their  meeting-house  on  one  part  of  the 
Lord's-day,  which  was  granted;  and  from  November, 
1752,  to  June,  1755,  the  two  congregations  occupied 
the  same  building  at  different  hours.  But  at  the  date 
last  mentioned  the  two  churches  united,  Mr.  Foot  and 
Mr.  Needham  becoming  joint  pastors,  and  administer- 
ing the  Lord's  Supper  alternately.  It  is  known  that 
this  arrangement  continued  up  to  the  year  1784 ;  but 
the  history  of  both  church  and  pastors  after  that  date 
is  almost  a  blank.  All  that  can  be  stated  is  that  in 
1787,  the  second  of  the  two  pastors  died,  and  the 
church  at  Callowhill  became  extinct;  but  which  it 
was,  Mr.  Foot  or  Mr.  Needham  who  survived  the  other, 
is  unknown." 

Mr.  Needham  was  the  author  of  a  large  number  of 
hymns.      In    1768,   he   published   a   volume    entitled 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  43 

"Hymns,  Devotional  and  Moral,  on  Various  Subjects, 
Collected  Chiefly  from  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  Suited 
to  the  Christian  State  and  Worship."  Of  the  263 
hymns  in  this  collection  some  are  still  in  use,  and 
highly  esteemed. 

Eighteen  of  his  hymns  are  found  in  Dobell's  "Selec- 
tion"; of  these  one  is  an  Advent  hymn,  which  Dr. 
Hatfield  ("Poets  of  the  Church,"  p.  459)  regards  among 
the  best  of  Needham's  compositions,  commencing 

Awake!  awake!  arise! 

And  hail  the  glorious  morn. 

In  Rippon's  "Selection"  Needham  is  represented  by 
nine  hymns.  Spurgeon  inserts  in  his  "Our  Own 
Hymn  Book"  (1034)  a  fine  harvest  hymn  by  Need- 
ham,  commencing 

To  praise  the  ever  bounteous  Lord. 

Perhaps  the  best  known  of  Needham's  hymns  is  that 
commencing  ("Psalmist,"  159) 

Holy  and  reverend  is  the  name 
Of  our  Eternal  King. 

The  following  hymn,  also  by  Needham,  is  in  the  Eng- 
lish "Baptist  Hymnal"  (283) : 

When  some  kind  shepherd  from  the  fold 

Has  lost  a  straying  sheep, 
Through  vales,  o'er  hills,  he  anxious  roves, 

And  climbs  the  mountain  steep. 

But  O,  the  joy,  the  transport  sweet, 

When  he  the  wanderer  finds ! 
Up  in  his  arms  he  takes  his  charge, 

And  to  his  shoulder  binds. 

Homeward  he  hastes  to  tell  his  joys, 

And  make  his  bliss  complete ; 
The  neighbors  hear  the  news,  and  all 

The  joyful  shepherd  greet. 


44  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Yet  how  much  greater  is  the  joy 
When  but  one  sinner  turns, 

And  with  a  humble,  broken  heart, 
His  sins  and  errors  mourns. 

Pleased  with  the  news,  the  saints  below 
In  songs  their  tongues  employ; 

Beyond  the  skies  the  tidings  go, 
And  heaven  is  filled  with  joy. 

Angels  rejoice  in  louder  strains, 
And  seraphs  feel  new  fire ; 

"  A  sinner  lost  is  found,"  they  say. 
And  strike  the  sounding  lyre. 


BENJAMIN  WALLIN. 

1711-1782. 

Benjamin  Wallin  was  born  in  1711,  in  Southwark, 
London,  where  his  father,  Rev.  Edward  WalHn,  became 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Maze  Pond  in  1703.  A  cripple 
from  infancy  through  the  carelessness  of  a  nurse,  he 
devoted  himself  assiduously  to  study,  and  was  placed 
under  the  tutorship  of  Rev.  John  Needham.  For 
awhile  he  engaged  in  business,  and  then  directed  his 
attention  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  In 
1780,  he  preached  his  first  sermon,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing year,  became  pastor  of  the  church  which  his  father 
had  served,  and  continued  in  the  pastorate,  honored 
for  his  many  Christian  virtues,  until  his  death,  Febru- 
ary 19,  1782. 

Besides  many  occasional  sermons,  he  published  sev- 
eral essays  on  Practical  Religion,  "  Lectures  on  Prim- 
itive Christianity,"  "  Lectures  on  the  Epistle  to  the 
Church  at  Sardis,"  "  Lectures  on  the  Faithful  in  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  45 

Days  of  Malachi."  He  also  published  (1750)  a  volume 
of  "  Evangelical  Hymns  and  Songs,  in  Two  Parts : 
The  First,  composed  on  Various  Views  of  the  Christian 
Life  and  Warfare ;  The  Second,  in  Praise  of  the  Re- 
deemer, Published  for  the  Comfort  and  Entertainment 
of  True  Christians,  with  Authorities  at  large  from  the 
Scriptures."  Two  of  these  hymns,  considerably  mod- 
ified, Wallin  contributed  to  the  Gospel  Magazine  for 
June,  1776.  Toplady  transferred  both  of  them  to  his 
"  Psalms  and  Hymns,"  published  that  year.  One  of 
them  Rippon  used  in  his  "  Selection"  (77),  from  which 
it  was  transferred  to  the  supplement  (89)  of  "  Win- 
cheli's  Watts"  and  the  "Psalmist"  (337),  viz: 

Hail  mighty  Jesus  1  how  divine 

Is  thy  victorious  swoi'd  ! 
The  stoutest  rebel  must  resign 

At  thy  commanding  word. 

How  deep  the  wounds  these  arrows  give  ! 

They  pierce  the  hardest  heart. 
Thy  smiles  of  grace  the  slain  revive, 

And  joy  succeeds  to  smart. 

Still  gird  thy  sword  upon  thy  thigh ; 

Ride  with  majestic  sway  ; 
Go  forth,  great  Prince,  triumphantly, 

And  make  thy  foes  obey. 

And  when  thy  victories  are  complete, — 

When  all  the  chosen  race 
Shall  round  the  throne  of  glory  meet 

To  sing  thy  conquering  grace,  — 

Oh  may  my  humble  soul  be  found 

Among  that  glorious  throng ; 
And  I  with  them  thy  praise  will  sound 

In  heaven's  immortal  song. 


46  BAPTIST  HY3HN  WRITERS 

ANNE  STEELE. 

1716-1778. 

More  than  one  hundred  of  Miss  Steele's  hymns  are 
found  in  our  modern  compilations.  Of  no  other  Bap- 
tist hymn  writer  can  this  be  said.  Indeed,  as  Dr.  Hat- 
field ("Poets  of  the  Church,"  p.  570)  remarks,  "No 
one  of  the  gentler  sex  has  so  largely  contributed  to 
the  familiar  hymnology  of  the  church  as  the  modest 
and  retiring,  but  gifted  and  godly,  Anne  Steele.  She 
may  well  be  styled  the  female  '  Poet  of  the  Sanctu- 
ary.' "  She  was  the  eldest  daughter  of  William  Steele, 
a  timber  merchant,  who  for  thirty  years  was  a  deacon 
and  occasional  preacher  in  the  Baptist  church  at 
Broughton,  and  for  a  like  period  was  the  beloved  pas- 
tor of  the  church,  without  salary.  Born  at  Brough- 
ton in  1716,  she  became  in  early  life  a  member  of  her 
father's  church.  From  childhood  she  was  an  invahd, 
and  at  times  a  great  sufferer.  When  she  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  the  young  man  to  whom  she  was 
engaged  to  be  married  was  drowned  while  bathing,  the 
day  before  the  wedding  was  to  take  place.  She  could 
say  mth  the  Psalmist,  "  All  thy  waves  and  thy  billows 
are  gone  over  me."  Yet  heart-broken,  she  did  not 
yield  to  despair,  but  made  herself  a  ministering  spirit, 
devoting  her  life  to  deeds  of  love  and  mercy.  Many 
of  her  hymns,  written  to  lighten  her  own  burdens, 
give  beautiful  expression  to  the  sweetness  of  her 
Christian  character,  and  the  depth  of  her  Christian 
experience.  The  death  of  her  greatly  venerated 
father,  Sept.  10,  1769,  is  said  to  have  hastened  her 
own  death,  which  occurred  in  November,  1778,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-one. 

The  closing  scenes  in  Miss  Steele's  life  are  thus  de- 
scribed by  Dr.  Evans :  "  Having  been  confined  to  her 
chamber  for  some  years,  she  had  long  waited  with 
Christian  dignity  for  the  hour  of  her  departure.     And 


AKD  THEIR  HYMNS.  47 

when  the  time  came,  she  welcomed  its  arrival;  and 
though  her  feeble  body  was  excruciated  with  pain,  her 
mind  was  perfectly  serene.  She  took  a  most  affec- 
tionate leave  of  her  weejDing  friends  around  her,  and 
at  length,  the  happy  moment  of  her  dismission  arriv- 
ing, she  closed  her  e3^es,  and  with  these  words  upon 
her  dying  lips,  '1  know  that  my  Redeemer  Hveth,' 
gently  fell  asleep  in  Jesus."  She  was  buried  in 
Broughton  churchyard,  and  the  following  lines  were 
inscribed  upon  her  tomb : 

Silent  the  lyre,  and  dumb  the  tuneful  tongue 
That  sung  on  earth  her  great  Redeemer's  praise; 

But  now  in  heaven  she  joins  the  angel's  song, 
In  more  harmonious,  more  exalted  lays. 

Miss  Steele's  first  publication  appeared  in  1760,  in 
two  volumes,  under  the  title  "  Poems,  on  Subjects 
Chiefly  Devotional,"  by  "  Theodosia."  The  following 
entry  in  her  father's  diary,  under  date  November  29, 
1757,  seems  to  have  reference  to  this  publication : 
"  This  day  Nanny  sent  part  of  her  composition  to  London 
to  be  printed.  I  entreat  a  gracious  God,  who  enabled 
and  stirred  her  up  to  such  a  work,  to  direct  in  it,  and 
bless  it  for  the  good  of  many.  .  .  I  pray  God  to  make 
it  useful,  and  keep  her  humble."  October,  1759,  he 
wrote :  "  Her  brother  brought  with  him  her  poetry, 
not  yet  bound.  I  earnestly  desire  the  blessing  of  God 
upon  that  work,  that  it  may  be  made  very  useful." 

After  her  death  these  two  volumes  of  her  "Poems," 
with  a  third  prepared  by  herself,  were  published 
(1780),  by  Rev.  Caleb  Evans,  d.d.,  of  Bristol.  It  is 
said  it  was  in  a  collection  of  hymns  compiled  by  Dr. 
Evans  and  Dr.  John  Ash,  published  in  1769,  that 
Miss  Steele's  hymns  were  first  made  available  for  gen- 
eral use  in  religious  worship. 

The  most  familiar  of  her  hymns  is  that  commencing 

Father,  whate'er  of  earthly  bliss. 


48  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

In  its  original  form  this  hymn  contains  ten  stanzas,  as 
follows  : 

When  I  survey  life's  varied  scene, 

Amid  the  darkest  hours, 
Sweet  rays  of  comfort  shine  between, 

And  thorns  are  mixed  with  flowers. 

Lord,  teach  me  to  adore  thy  hand, 

From  whence  my  comforts  flow, 
And  let  me  in  this  desert  land 

A  glimpse  of  Canaan  know. 

Is  health  and  ease  my  happy  share  ? 

Oh  may  I  bless  my  God ; 
Thy  kindness  let  my  songs  declare. 

And  spread  thy  praise  abroad. 

While  such  delightful  gifts  as  these 

Are  kindly  dealt  to  me, 
Be  all  my  hours  of  health  and  ease 

Devoted,  Lord,  to  thee. 

In  griefs  and  pains  thy  sacred  word 

(Dear  solace  of  my  soul!) 
Celestial  comforts  can  afford. 

And  all  their  power  control. 

When  present  sufferings  pain  my  heart. 

Or  future  terrors  rise. 
And  light  and  hope  almost  depart 

From  these  dejected  eyes, 

Thy  powerful  word  supports  my  hope. 

Sweet  cordial  of  the  mind, 
And  bears  ray  fainting  spirit  up. 

And  bids  me  wait  resigned. 

And  oh,  whate'er  of  earthly  bliss 

Thy  sovereign  hand  denies. 
Accepted  at  thy  throne  of  grace, 

Let  this  petition  rise; 

"  Give  me  a  calm,  a  thankful  heart, 

From  every  murmur  free ; 
The  blessings  of  thy  grace  impart, 

And  let  me  live  to  thee. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  49 

"  Let  the  sweet  hope  that  thou  art  mine, 

My  path  of  life  attend ; 
Thy  presence  through  my  journey  shine, 

And  bless  its  happy  end." 


BENJAMIN  BEDDOME. 

1717-1795. 

For  fifty-two  years  Benjamin  Beddome  was  the 
beloved  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Bourton-on- 
the- Water,  in  the  eastern  part  of  Gloucestershire.  He 
was  born  at  Henley-in-Arden,  a  market  town  near 
Warwick,  January  23,  1717.  In  1724,  his  father,  Rev. 
John  Beddome,  removed  to  Bristol,  where  he  became 
a  co-pastor  of  the  Pithay  Baptist  church.  Here  Ben- 
jamin Beddome  spent  his  youth,  and  in  due  time  he 
was  apprenticed  to  a  surgeon  and  apothecary.  His 
conversion  occurred  in  connection  with  a  sermon  which 
was  preached  August  7,  1737,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Ware,  in 
his  father's  church  at  Bristol,  from  the  text,  Luke  xv.  7, 
"Likewise  joy  shall  be  in  heaven  over  one  sinner  that 
repenteth,"  etc.  At  the  expiration  of  his  apprentice- 
ship he  entered  upon  a  course  of  study  preparatory 
to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry,  first  under  Mr. 
Bernard  Foskett,  then  tutor  in  the  Baptist  Academy, 
Bristol,  and  afterward  at  the  Independent  Academy 
in  London,  under  the  learned  Rev.  John  Eames.  He 
was  baptized  in  London,  September  27,  1739,  by  Rev. 
Samuel  Wilson,  and  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in 
Goodman's  Fields.  By  this  church  he  was  called  to 
preach.  The  church  in  Bourton  was  at  that  time  pas- 
torless,  and  Mr.  Beddome  was  invited  to  supply  the 
pulpit.  His  labors  were  acceptable,  and  he  preached 
both  at  Bourton  and  Warwick.  At  length,  in  answer 
to  repeated  solicitations,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of 
4 


50  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

the  church  at  Bourton,  and  he  was  ordained  Septem- 
ber 23,  1743.  Dr.  Joseph  Stennett  preached  the  ser- 
mon from  the  text,  "  Obey  them  that  have  the  rule 
over  you,"  etc.,  Heb.  xiii.  17.  December  27,  1749,  he 
married  EHzabeth  Boswell,  a  daughter  of  one  of  his 
deacons.  Some  Hues  composed  by  Mr.  Beddome 
"about  the  year  1742,"  were  happily  prophetic : 

Lord,  in  my  soul  implant  thy  fear, 
Let  faith,  and  hope,  and  love  be  there; 
Preserve  me  from  prevailing  vice 
When  Satan  tempts,  or  lusts  entice! 
Of  friendship's  sweets  may  I  partake, 
Nor  be  forsaken,  nor  forsake  1 
Let  moderate  plenty  crown  my  board, 
And  God  for  all  be  still  adored ! 
Let  the  companion  of  my  youth 
Be  one  of  innocence  and  truth ; 
Let  modest  charms  adorn  her  face, 
And  give  her  thy  superior  grace ; 
By  heavenly  art  first  make  her  thine, 
Then  make  her  willing  to  be  mine! 
My  dwelling-place  let  Bourton  be, 
There  let  me  live  and  live  to  thee! 

By  his  faithful  ministrations  Mr.  Beddome  greatly 
endeared  himself  to  his  people.  After  the  death  of 
Rev.  Samuel  Wilson,  Mr.  Beddome  was  invited  to  be- 
come Mr.  Wilson's  successor.*  Call  after  call  was  sent 
to  him,  and  declined.  At  length,  so  importunate  were 
the  brethren  in  London  that  Mr.  Beddome  asked  the 
people  to  make  the  decision  for  him.  They  sent  a 
prompt  refusal  to  London,  and  Mr.  Beddome  remained 
at  Bourton  until  his  death. 

He  seems  to  have  exercised  his  poetical  gift  through- 
out his  ministry.  It  was  his  custom  to  prepare  a 
hymn  to  be  sung  after  his  morning's  sermon  each 
Lord's-day.  A  promising  son,  who  had  just  completed 
his  medical  studies,  died  in  Edinburgh,  January  4, 
1778.  That  day,  not  knowing  of  his  son's  death,  not 
having  been  informed  even  of  his  sickness,  he  preached 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  51 

from  Psalms  xxxi.  15,  "My  times  are  in  thy  hand." 
The  hymn  which  he  had  composed  for  the  day  was 
the  now  famihar  one,  commencing 

My  times  of  sorrow,  and  of  joy, 

Great  God,  are  in  thy  hand, 
My  choicest  comforts  come  from  thee, 

And  go  at  thy  command. 

One  of  his  best  hymns  Mr.  Beddome  wrote  after  re- 
covering from  a  severe  illness.  He  had  first  written  a 
hymn  of  gratitude  for  his  restoration  to  health.  On 
further  reflection  he  wrote  these  lines : 

If  I  must  die,  O  let  me  die 

Trusting  in  Jesus'  blood! 
That  blood  which  hath  atonement  made. 

And  reconciles  to  God. 

If  I  must  die,  then  let  me  die 

In  peace  with  all  mankind. 
And  change  these  fleeting  joys  below 

For  pleasures  more  refined. 

If  I  must  die,  as  die  I  must. 

Let  some  kind  seraph  come, 
And  bear  me  on  his  friendly  wing 

To  my  celestial  home! 

Of  Canaan's  land  from  Pisgah's  top 

May  I  but  have  a  view ! 
Though  Jordan  should  o'erflow  its  banks, 

I  '11  boldly  venture  through. 

Mr.  Beddome  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age,  and  died  after 
a  long  illness,  September  3,  1795,  having  been  en- 
gaged in  writing  a  hymn  only  a  few  hours  before  his 
departure.  Beside  a  Circular  Letter  of  the  Midland 
Association  for  1765,  his  only  publication  was  a 
"Scriptural  Exposition  on  the  Baptist  Catechism  by 
way  of  Question  and  Answer,"  which  appeared  in 
1752.  A  second  edition  was  printed  in  1776.  Ten 
years  after  his  decease  two  volumes  of  his  sermons 
were  published,  and  a  third  volume  appeared  in  1835. 


52  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

A  volume  of  his  hjrmns  was  published  in  1818,  en- 
titled "Hymns  Adapted  to  Public  Worship  or  Family 
Devotion.  Now  first  published  from  the  manuscripts 
of  the  late  Rev.  B.  Beddome,  a.m.  With  a  Recom- 
mendator}^  Preface  by  the  Rev.  R.  Hall,  a.m."  The 
volume  contained  822  hymns  and  8  doxologies.  Of 
these  more  than  fifty  had  appeared  in  Rippon's  "Se- 
lection," and  so  had  found  their  way  into  other  collec- 
tions.    The  most  famihar  of  these  hymns  are 

"  Did  Christ  o'er  sinners  weep," 
"And  must  I  part  with  all  I  have," 
"  Let  party  names  no  more," 
"  Come,  Holy  Spirit,  come," 
"  Jesus,  my  Lord,  my  chief  delight," 
"  If  Christ  is  mine,  then  all  is  mine," 
"  Prayer  is  the  breath  of  God  in  man," 
"  God  in  the  Gospel  of  his  Son," 
.    "  Blest  Comforter,  divine," 

"  Buried  beneath  the  yielding  wave." 

Of  Beddome' s  hymns,  Montgomery  says  they  are 
"very  agreeable  as  well  as  impressive,  being  for  the 
most  part  brief  and  pithy.  A  single  idea,  always  im- 
portant, often  striking,  and  sometimes  ingeniously 
brought  out,  not  with  a  mere  point  at  the  end,  but 
with  the  terseness  and  simjDlicity  of  the  Greek  epi- 
gram, constitutes  the  basis  of  each  piece." 

The  honorary  degree  of  a.m.  was  conferred  upon 
Mr.  Beddome  in  1770,  by  Rhode  Island  College,  now 
Brown  University. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  53 

EDMUND  JONES. 

1722-1765. 

jThe  well  known  hymn,  commencing 

Come,  humble  sinner,  in  whose  breast, 

is  ascribed  by  Dr.  Joseph  Belcher  ("  Historical  Sketches 
of  Hymns/'  p.  175)  to  Rev.  Edmund  Jones,  "a  highly 
popular  Welsh  Baptist  preacher  of  the  last  century," 
who  resided  at  Trevecca,  Wales.  This  is  an  error:  its 
author  was  an  esteemed  English  Baptist  pastor  of  the 
same  name.  The  hymn  first  appeared  in  Rippon's 
"Selection"  (1787),  ascribed  to  Edmund  Jones,  and  in 
a  foot  note  Dr.  Rippon  says :  "  The  Rev.  Mr.  Jones 
was  a  truly  worthy  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Exon,  Devon.  His  successor,  was  my  very  amiable 
friend,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Lewis,  to  whose  memory 
this  page  is  sacred."  Rev.  Wm.  Parkinson  introduced 
this  hymn  into  his  "  Selection  of  Hymns  and  Spiritual 
Songs"  (New  York,  1809),  and  in  a  note  referring  to  the 
hymn,  following  Dr.  Rippon,  he  says:  "Mr.  Jones 
was  a  truly  worthy  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Exeter,  Devon." 

Rev.  Edmund  Jones  was  a  son  of  Rev.  Philip  Jones, 
and  was  born  in  1722,  at  Cheltenham,  Gloucestershire. 
His  boyhood,  for  the  most  part,  was  spent  at  Up- 
ton-on-Severn,  Worcestershire,  where  his  father  had 
become  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church.  Of  this  church, 
at  an  early  age,  Edmund  became  a  member.  Later 
he  was  sent  to  the  Baptist  College  at  Bristol,  where  he 
entered  upon  a  course  of  study  preparatory  to  the 
work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  In  1741,  he  was 
invited  to  supply  the  pulpit  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Exeter.  His  services  were  so  acceptable  that  in  1743, 
he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  church.  In  this  po- 
sition he  remained  until  his  death,  April  15, 1765. 

Like  many  of  the  Baptist  churches  in  England;  the 


54  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

church  at  Exeter,  when  Mr.  Jones  became  its  pastor, 
did  not  make  singing  a  part  of  the  Sunday  service. 
Mr.  Jones  succeeded  in  bringing  about  a  change,  and 
the  ser^dce  of  song  was  introduced  in  1759.  The 
hymn  above  referred  to  was  doubtless  one  of  others 
which  Mr.  Jones  composed  for  this  service.  In  Rippon's 
^'Selection"  it  is  entitled,  "The  Successful  Resolve  —  I 
will  go  in  unto  the  King.  Esther  iv.  IG,"  and  is  as 
follows  : 

Come,  humble  sinner,  in  whose  breast 

A  thousand  thoughts  revolve, 
Come,  with  your  guilt  and  fear  opprest, 

And  make  this  last  resolve. 

"  I  '11  go  to  Jesus,  tho'  my  sin 

Hath  like  a  mountain  rose ; 
I  know  his  courts,  I  '11  enter  in, 

Whatever  may  oppose. 

"  Prostrate  I  '11  lie  before  his  throne, 

And  there  my  guilt  confess, 
I  '11  tell  him  I  'm  a  wretch  undone 

"Without  his  sovereign  grace. 

"  I  '11  to  the  gracious  King  approach, 

Whose  sceptre  pardon  gives. 
Perhaps  he  may  command  my  touch , 

And  then  the  suppliant  lives. 

"  Perhaps  he  will  admit  my  plea, 

Perhaps  will  hear  my  prayer ; 
But  if  I  perish  I  will  pray. 

And  perish  only  there. 

"  I  can  but  perish  if  I  go, 

I  am  resolved  to  try; 
For  if  I  stay  away,  I  know 

I  must  forever  die." 

In  an  article  in  the  New  York  Evangelist,  Rev. 
Henry  A.  Nelson,  d.d.,  says :  "  In  some  editions  this 
hymn  is  printed  '  come,  trembling  sinner,'  and  in 
some,  'come,  humble  sinner.'     In  either  form  it  is  a 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  55 

precious  hymn  to  me,  but  I  rather  prefer  the  first, '  come, 
trembling  sinner.'  My  first  recollection  of  the  hymn 
goes  back  to  a  solemn  hour,  when  I  surely  was  a  'tremh- 
Ung  sinner,'  whether  a  '  humble '  one  or  not.  How 
vividly  I  remember  it !  I  was  sitting  in  the  chimney- 
corner  of  the  big  farm-house  fireplace,  used  for  tJie 
family  cooking,  as  well  as  for  warmth  of  the  family 
room.  I  was  a  sad  and  sorrowful  little  boy.  Convic- 
tion of  sin  had  smitten  me.  Faitliful  parental  teach- 
ing and  faithful  preaching  had  been  energized  by 
God's  spirit,  bringing  home  God's  condemning  law  to 
my  quickened  conscience.  'Sin  revived  and  I  died.'  I 
knew  I  was  wicked,  I  knew  that  '  God  is  angry  with 
the  wicked  every  day.'  I  shuddered  with  fear  of  ^  the 
wrath  to  come.'  Much  kind  and  sympathetic  instruc- 
tion had  been  given  liie.  but  kind  sympathy  had  not 
been  allowed  to  prevent  fidelity.  Very  searching  had 
been  the  instruction  given  me  at  home  and  at  church. 
I  feared  the  deserved  wrath  of  God.  I  trembled  in 
anticipation  of  his  judgment.  I  sat  silent  and  gloomy 
by  the  fireside.  My  sister,  a  few  years  older,  had  recent- 
ly found  the  Savior.  She  had  tasted  and  seen  that  the 
Lord  is  gracious.  She  was  a  thoughtful,  loving,  not 
talkative  girl.  She  was  busy  before  the  fire  with  some 
culinary  work.  She  saw  her  little  brother's  counte- 
nance sad.  She  knew  what  ailed  him.  She  did  not 
try  to  talk  to  me.  She  opened  her  little  hymn-book, 
Nettleton's  '  Village  Hymns,'  to  the  place  where  that 
hymn  was  printed,  and  silently  handed  it  to  me.  I 
remember  no  sermon,  no  talk,  which  helped  me  more 
than  that.  The  dear  form  and  face  on  which  that  fire- 
light shone  in  the  old  farm-house  have  remained  viv- 
idly pictured  in  my  memory  more  than  half  a  century, 
and  if  I  shall  ever  come  to  look  on  them  again  where 
they  now  are,  with  the  angels,  I  think  as  likely  as  not 
the  sight  will  first  of  all  remind  me  of  that  look  of 
sisterly  pity  which  lighted  the  way  of  that  hymn  to 
my  heart." 


56  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

SAMUEL  STENNETT. 

1727-1795. 

Samuel  Stenn"ett  was  the  great  grandson  of  Rev. 
Edward  Stennett,  a  grandson  of  Rev.  Joseph  Sten- 
nett,  author  of  the  hymn 

Another  six  days'  work  is  done, 

and  a  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Stennett,  d.d.,  for  many 
years  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  m  Exeter,  where 
Samuel  was  born  m  1727.  Ten  years  later  his  father 
removed  to  London,  having  accepted  a  call  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Baptist  church  in  Little  Wild  Street, 
Lincoln's  Inn  Fields.  Of  this  church  Samuel  early 
became  a  member.  His  studies  were  pursued  first 
under  Rev.  John  Hubbard,  an  eminent  theological  in- 
structor at  Stepney,  and  afterward  under  the  cele- 
brated linguist,  Dr.  John  Walker,  of  the  Academy  at 
Mile  End.  "He  was  formed  by  nature  and  grace," 
says  a  writer  in  Rippon's  "Register"  (Vol.  2,  p.  380), 
"for  the  distinguished  figure  he  afterward  made.  To 
the  strength  of  natural  faculties,  vigor  of  imagination, 
and  acuteness  of  judgment,  of  which  he  was  possessed, 
he  had  added,  from  his  earliest  years,  so  close  an  at- 
tention to  reflection  and  study  that  there  was  scarcely 
a  topic  in  science  or  literature,  in  religion  or  even  pol- 
itics, but  he  seemed  to  have  investigated ;  and  so  habit- 
ual was  it  to  him  to  arrange  his  ideas  on  the  different 
subjects,  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  himself,  and  yet  quite 
natural,  that  when  a  question,  which  to  others  was 
new,  unusual,  or  perplexed,  had  been  proposed  to  him, 
they  were  surprised  to  find  how  familiarly  he  was  ac- 
quainted with  it." 

In  1747,  Mr.  Stennett  became  his  father's  assistant, 
and  after  the  death  of  his  father  he  was  ordained  as 
his  successor  in  the  pastorate  of  the  church  in 
Little  Wild  Street,  June  1,  1758.  J'The  Baptist  de- 
nomination lay  particularly  near   his   heart,  and  his 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  57 

concern  for  it  ran  uniformly  through  his  whole  life." 
In  1767,  he  received  a  call  from  the  Sabbatarian  Bap- 
tist church,  of  which  his  grandfather  was  pastor ;  but 
though  he  did  not  accept  the  call,  he  preached  for  the 
church  every  Saturday  morning  for  twenty  years. 

In  1769,  he  published  his  volmnes  of  "Discourses 
on  Practical  Religion."  He  was  also  the  author  of  a 
work  entitled  "Remarks  on  the  Christian  Ministers' 
Reasons  for  Administering  Baptism  by  Sprinkling," 
published  in  1772.  In  1775,  he  published  "An  An- 
swer to  the  Christian  Ministers'  Reasons  for  Baptizing 
Infants."  This  was  followed  in  1783,  by  "Discourses 
on  Domestic  Duties";  in  1786,  by  "Discourses  on  the 
Parable  of  the  Sower";  and  in  1790,  by  "Discourses 
on  the  Divine  Authority,  and  Various  Uses  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures."  All  of  his  writings  were  marked  by 
great  elegance  of  style.  His  scholarship  was  recog- 
nized by  King's  College,  Aberdeen,  which;,  in  1763,  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity. 
He  enjoyed  the  personal  friendship  of  George  III.,  and, 
like  his  grandfather,  could  have  held  a  high  position 
in  the  church  of  England  if  he  had  been  willing  to 
renounce  his  Nonconformist  principles. 

Thirty-nine  of  liis  hymns  are  found  in  Rippon's 
"Selection"  (1787).  One  of  them  is  the  famihar 
hymn 

Majestic  sweetness  sits  enthroned. 

Of  his  other  hymns,  the  following  are  best  known : 

"  On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  stand," 

"  How  charming  is  the  place," 

"  Here  at  thy  table,  Lord,  we  meet," 

"  Where  two  or  three  with  sweet  accord," 

"  'T  is  finished!  so  the  Savior  cried," 

"  Come,  every  pious  heart," 

"  Prostrate,  dear  Jesus,  at  thy  feet," 

"  Xot  all  the  nobles  of  the  earth." 


68  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

The  following  hymn  is  the  first  in  Rippon's  "Se- 
lection," and  one  of  the  best  of  Dr.  Stennett's 
compositions : 

To  God,  the  universal  King, 
Let  all  mankind  their  tribute  bring: 
All  that  have  breath  your  voices  raise 
In  songs  of  never-ceasing  praise. 

The  spacious  earth  on  which  we  tread, 
And  wider  heavens  stretched  o'er  our  head, 
A  large  and  solemn  temple  frame, 
To  celebrate  its  Builder's  fame. 

Here  the  bright  sun,  that  rules  the  day, 
As  through  the  sky  he  makes  his  way, 
To  all  the  world  proclaims  aloud 
The  boundless  sovereignty  of  God. 

"When  from  his  courts  the  sun  retires. 
And  with  the  day  his  voice  expires, 
The  moon  and  stars  adopt  the  song. 
And  through  the  night  the  praise  prolong. 

The  listening  earth  with  rapture  hears 
Th'  harmonious  music  of  the  spheres; 
And  all  her  tribes  the  notes  repeat. 
That  God  is  wise,  and  good,  and  great. 

But  man,  endowed  with  nobler  powers, 
His  God  in  nobler  strains  adores; 
His  is  the  gift  to  know  the  song, 
As  well  as  sing  with  tuneful  tongue. 

Dr.  Stennett  was  honored  with  the  friendship  of  the 
philanthropist,  John  Howard,  who  was  accustomed  to 
attend  his  meeting  when  in  London.  In  a  letter  writ- 
ten at  Smyrna,  August  11,  1786,  Mr.  Howard  says: 
"With  unabated  pleasure  I  have  attended  your  minis- 
try; no  man  ever  entered  more  into  my  religious  sen- 
timents, or  more  happily  expressed  them.  It  was 
some  little  disappointment  when  any  one  occcupied 
your  pulpit.  Oh,  sir,  how  many  Sabbaths  I  ardently 
long  to  spend  in  Little  Wild  Street:  on  those  days  I 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  59 

generally  rest,  or,  if  at  sea,  keep  retired  in  my  cabin. 
It  is  you  that  preach,  and  I  bless  God  I  attend  with 
renewed  pleasure.  God  in  Christ  is  my  rock,  the  por- 
tion of  my  soul.  I  have  little  more  to  add — but  ac- 
cept my  renewed  thanks.  I  bless  God  for  your  minis- 
try.    I  pray  God  reward  you  a  thousand-fold." 

Dr.  Stennett  died  August  24,  1795,  and  was  buried 
in  Bunhill  Fields.  John  Gadsby,  in  his  "Memoirs  of 
Hymn  Writers  and  Compilers,"  says:  "The  death  of 
his  wife  greatly  afflicted  him,  and  seemed  to  deaden 
him  to  the  world.  He  appeared  to  have  no  further 
desire  to  live  in  it.  Just  before  he  was  confined  to  his 
bed,  he  prayed  earnestly  in  his  family  that  God  might 
give  him  an  easy  passage  out  of  life  ;  and  God  granted 
him  that  wliich  he  requested." 


JOHN  FELLOWS. 

1785. 

The  time  and  place  of  Mr.  Fellows'  birth  are  un- 
known. In  early  life  he  resided  at  Bromsgrove,  Wor- 
cestershire, and  Dr.  Belcher  speaks  of  him  as  a  "  j)^^^ 
shoemaker."  Dr.  Watts,  in  the  "  Bibliotheca  Britan- 
nica,"  and  Allibone,  in  his  "  Critical  Dictionary  of 
English  Literature,"  call  him  a  Methodist.  He  was 
connected  with  the  Calvinistic  Methodists  a  large  part 
of  his  life,  but  in  his  later  years  he  made  his  residence 
in  Birmingham,  and  there  in  1780,  according  to  Dr.  Hat- 
field ("Poets  of  the  Church,"  p.  246),  he  was  baptized 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Turner,  and  united  with  the  Baptist  church 
in  Cannon  street.  He  had  been  a  Baptist  in  sentiment, 
however,  for  many  years,  as  his  hymns,  dated  1773, 
show,  and  as  there  is  no  record  of  his  baptism  at  Bir- 
mingham,— in  fact,  in  the  column  of  "  Baptized,"  there 
is  a  blank, — it  is  possible  that  he  simply  transferred  his 


60  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

church  relations  in  that  year.  He  died  July  30th, 
1785,  not  November  2,  as  some  writers  affirm. 

Mr.  Fellows  was  the  author  of  a  large  number  of 
works,  mostly  in  verse :  among  them  "  Grace  Trium- 
phant, a  Sacred  Poem  in  Nine  Dialogues"  (1770); 
"  Bromsgrove  Elegy,  in  Blank  Verse,  on  the  Death  of 
the  Rev.  G.  Whitefield  "  (1771);  "An  Elegy  on  the 
Death  of  Dr.  Gill"  (1771);  "Hymns  on  BeUevers' 
Baptism"  (1773);  "Eloquent  and  Noble  Defence  of 
the  Gospel,  in  his  three  Celebrated  Speeches,  Para- 
phrased in  Blank  Verse  "  (1775) ;  "  Hymns  in  a  Great 
Variety  of  Metres,  on  the  Perfection  of  the  Word  of 
God  and  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ"  (1776);  "The 
History  of  the  Holy  Bible,  Attempted  in  Easy  Verse" 
(1777);  "A  Fair  and  Impartial  Enquiry  into  the  Rise, 
etc.,  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  in  a  Series  of  Familiar 
Dialogues"  (1779);  and  "A  Protestant  Catechism." 

Of  his  hjnnns  on  baptism  the  following  appeared  in 
the  Comprehensive  edition  of  Rippon's  "  Selection  ": 

"  In  Jordan's  tide  the  Baptist  stands," 
"  Dear  Lord,  and  will  thy 'pardoning  love," 
"  Jesus,  mighty  King  in  Zion," 
"  Great  God,  we  in  thy  courts  appear," 
"  Go  teach  the  nations  and  baptize," 
"  Descend,  celestial  Dove." 

Another, 

Great  things,  O  everlasting  Son, 

appears  in  the  "  Selection  of  Hymns  for  the  Use  of 
Baptist  Congregations"  (1838).  Three  of  the  above 
are  found  in  the  "  Psalmist "  (1843),  and  some  of  them 
are  found  in  more  modern  Baptist  collections.  The 
following  hymn  ("Psalmist,"  980)  is  found  in  Fellows' 
"  Infants  Devoted  to  God  but  not  Baptized  "  (1773): 

Great  God,  now  condescend 

To  bless  our  rising  race; 
Soon  may  their  willing  spirits  bend 

The  subjects  of  thy  grace. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  61 

O,  what  a  pure  delight 

Their  happiness  to  see! 
Our  warmest  wishes  all  unite 

To  lead  their  souls  to  thee. 

O,  grant  thy  spirit  Lord, 

Their  hearts  to  sanctify ; 
Remember  now  thy  groans; 

Our  hope  on  thee  rely. 

Draw  forth  the  melting  tear, 

The  penitential  sigh; 
Inspire  their  hearts  with  faith  sincere, 

And  fix  their  hopes  on  high. 

These  children  now  are  thine ; 

We  give  them  back  to  thee  ; 
O,  lead  them,  by  thy  grace  divine, 

Along  the  heavenly  way. 

This  hymn,  in  a  modified  form,  is  found  in  the  "  Cal- 
vary Selection  of  Spiritual  Songs  "  (801),  and  in  the 
"  Baptist  Hymnal  "  (574). 


WILLIAM  TUCKER. 

1731-1814. 

William  Tucker  was  born  at  Chard,  Somerset, 
March  27,  1731.  Here  he  served  an  apprenticeship, 
and  then  removed  to  London,  where  he  came  under 
the  influence  of  George  Whitefield;  and  returning  to 
his  native  place,  he  brought  with  him  the  better  pur- 
poses he  had  formed.  In  1764,  he  engaged  in  busi- 
ness as  a  cutler  and  ironmonger.  By  study  of  the 
Scriptures  he  was  led  to  adopt  Baptist  views,  and  in 
1765,  he  was  baptized,  and  united  with  the  Baptist 
church  in  Chard.  With  this  church  his  membership 
continued  forty-eight  years,  and  to  the  last  he  adorned 


62  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

the  profession   he  had  made.     He  died  February  2, 
1814,  in  the  eighty- third  year  of  his  age. 

Mr.  Tucker  was  an  ardent  advocate  of  Calvinism,  in 
such  works  as  "Predestination  Cahnly  Considered," 
and  "Arminianism  Dissected."  His  hymns  were  first 
published  in  the  Gospel  Magazine  for  1772.     They  are 

"  O  love  beyond  conception  great," 
"  Expand,  my  soul,  arise  and  sing," 
"Fixed  was  the  eternal  state  of  man," 

and  the  following : 

Amidst  ten  thousand  anxiovis  cares , 
The  world  and  Satan's  deep-laid  snares. 

This  my  incessant  cry  shall  be, 

"  Jesus,  reveal  thyself  to  me!  " 

"When  Sinai's  awful  thunder  rolled, 
And  struck  with  terror  all  my  soul, 

No  gleam  of  comfort  could  I  see 

Till  Jesus  was  revealed  to  me. 

When  by  temptations  sore  oppressed. 
Distressful  anguish  fills  my  breast. 

All,  all  is  grief  and  misery 

Till  Jesus  is  revealed  to  me. 

"When  various  lusts  imperious  rise, 

And  my  unguarded  soul  surprise, 
I  'm  captive  led,  nor  can  get  free 
Till  Christ  reveals  himself  to  me. 

"When  darkness  thick  as  beamless  night 
Hides  the  loved  Savior  from  my  sight, 

Nothing  but  this  my  ardent  plea, 

"  Jesus,  reveal  thyself  to  me!  " 

'T  is  he  dispels  the  dismal  gloom , 
Gives  light  and  gladness  in  its  I'oom. 

Then  have  I  joy  and  liberty 

As  Christ  reveals  himself  to  me. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  63 

CHARLES  COLE. 

1733-1813. 

Rev.  CnAELES  Cole  was  born  in  Wellow,  Somerset- 
shire, May  20,  1733.  His  parents  died  when  he  was 
six  years  of  age.  For  awhile  he  was  cared  for  by  his 
relatives;  and  having  early  learned  to  weave  broad- 
cloth, he  went  to  Freshford,  near  Bradford,  Wilts.  At 
Bradford  he  witnessed  the  administration  of  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism  by  Mr.  Harris,  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Bradford.  Such  an  impression  was  made 
upon  his  mind  at  this  time  that  he  was  led  after 
awhile,  against  his  inclinations,  to  attend  Mr.  Harris' 
services.  Soon  after  he  accepted  Christ  as  his  Savior, 
and  in  February,  1756,  he  was  baptized,  and  united 
with  the  Bradford  church.  Two  years  later  he  was 
called  by  the  church  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  He 
preached  his  first  sermon  at  Wliitechurch,  in  May, 
1758,  and  was  in\dted  by  the  church  to  supply  the 
pulpit  that  year.  At  the  close  of  the  year  he  received 
a  unanimous  call  to  the  pastorate.  His  ordination 
Occurred  Jun^  6,  1759.  The  Lord  greatly  blessed  his 
labors,  and  the  church  was  enlarged  fourfold  under 
his  ministry,  which  continued  until  his  death,  Decem- 
ber 3,  1813,  a  period  of  more  than  half  a  century. 

In  1789,  he  published  a  volume  entitled  "A  Three- 
Fold  Alphabet  of  New  Hymns.  I.  On  the  Public 
Ministry  of  the  Word.  II.  On  Baptism.  III.  On  the 
Lord's  Supper.  To  which  is  added  a  Supplicatory 
Supplement."  Number  8  of  the  Supplement  is  as 
follows : 

Lord,  in  thy  churches  ever  dwell, 

Let  them  enjoy  thy  tender  care; 
Do  Zion  good  in  thy  good  will, 

And  grant  thy  choicest  blessings  there. 


64  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Let  thy  salvation  be  proclaimed 
By  such  as  know  and  love  the  same; 

Nor  let  thy  servants  be  ashamed 
To  shout  thy  great  and  glorious  name. 

Let  sinners  hear  the  Gospel,  Lord, 
And  let  them  feel  its  power,  too ; 

That  to  thy  praise  they  may  record 
What  thy  victorious  grace  can  do. 

Let  Zion's  gates  with  glory  shine; 

There  let  thy  joyful  presence  rest; 
Let  love  and  peace  and  pleasure  join, 

And  prosper  those  whom  thou  hast  blest. 

The  Lord  is  good;  let  Israel  hope, 
For  his  good  will  is  toward  them; 

The  Lord  is  good,  and  buildeth  up 
The  walls  of  his  Jerusalem. 


JAMES  NEWTON. 

1733-1790. 

Concerning  the  early  life  of  Mr.  Newton,  little  is 
known.  He  was  born  in  Chenies,  Biicliinghamstiire, 
in  1733,  and  from  pious  parents  he  received  a  careful 
Christian  training.  When  seventeen  years  of  age,  he 
went  to  London,  where  he  united  with  the  Baptist 
church  at  Maze  Pond,  then  under  the  pastoral  charge 
of  Rev.  Benjamin  Wallin.  Possessing  a  studious  turn 
of  mind  and  an  ardent  thirst  for  knowledge,  he  was  at 
length  persuaded  to  devote  himself  to  the  work  of  the 
Christian  ministry.  His  preparatory  studies  were  pur- 
sued under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Thomas  Llewellyn, 
and  about  the  year  1757,  he  accepted  an  invitation 
from  the  Baptist  church  in  the  Pithay,  Bristol,  to 
become  the  colleague  of  Rev.  John  Tommas,  and  with 
this  church  he  remained  until  his  death.  In  1770,  at 
the  formation  of  the    Bristol   Education    Society,    an 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  65 

organization  for  the  education  of  candidates  for  the 
ministry,  he  was  chosen  classical  tutor  in  the  Baptist 
College  at  Bristol,  being  associated  with  Dr.  Caleb 
Evans  and  Rev.  Hugh  Evans.  For  this  position  he 
was  admirably  fitted.  With  the  Latin  and  Greek 
classics,  the  Hebrew  Scriptures,  and  the  writings  of  the 
Talmudists,  he  was  intimately  acquainted,  and  he 
continued  to  teach  as  well  as  to  preach,  until  the  close 
of  life.  He  died  April  8,  1790,  greatly  lamented  by 
his  flock  as  well  as  by  all  those  who  had  shared  his 
instructions. 

He  left  in  manuscript  a  volume  of  original  hymns, 
which  Dr.  Belcher,  in  his  notice  of  Newton,  says  he 
placed  in  the  library  of  Regents  Park  College,  London. 
In  the  "  Collection  of  Hymns  "  compiled  by  Dr.  John 
Ash  and  Dr.  Caleb  Evans,  and  published  at  Bristol  in 
1769,  is  the  following  baptismal  hymn  (371)  by  Mr. 
Newton : 

"  Proclaim,"  said  Christ,  "  my  wondrous  grace, 

To  all  the  sons  of  men; 
He  that  believes,  and  is  baptized 

Salvation  shall  obtain." 

Let  plenteous  grace  descend  on  those 

Who,  hoping  in  thy  word, 
Tliis  day  have  publicly  declared 

That  Jesus  is  their  Lord. 

"With  cheerful  feet  may  they  go  on, 

And  run  the  Christian  race ; 
And  in  the  troubles  of  the  way, 

Find  all  sufficient  grace. 

This  hymn  was  transferred  by  Rippon  to  his  "Selec- 
tion" (469),  and  appears  in  other  English  Baptist 
hymn  books,  commencing  with  the  second  stanza.  In 
the  "Psalmist"  the  following  stanza  is  added  : 

Lord,  plant  us  all  into  thy  death, 

That  we  thy  life  may  prove  — 
Partakers  of  thy  cross  beneath, 

And  of  thy  crown  above. 

5 


66  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

BENJAMIN  FRANCIS. 

1734-1799. 

Of  the  early  life  of  Benjamin  Francis,  little  is 
known.  He  was  a  Welshman,  and  was  born  in  1734. 
At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  united  with  the  Baptist 
church  in  his  native  town,  and  three  years  later  he 
entered  Bristol  College  with  the  purpose  of  preparing 
himself  for  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  Hav- 
ing completed  his  studies,  he  preached  a  short  time  at 
Sodbury.  In  1757,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Shortwood  (Horsley),  Glou- 
cestershire, and  was  ordained  in  the  following  year. 
Under  his  unwearied  labors  and  earnest  preaching  the 
church  greatly  prospered,  and  thrice  it  was  found 
necessary  to  enlarge  the  meeting-house.  One  of  his. 
hymnSj 

Great  King  of  glory,  come, 

was  written  for  the  rededication,  September  18,  1774, 
of  his  meeting-house  after  one  of  its  enlargements. 
He  preached  also  in  surrounding  villages,  and  as  his 
fame  increased  he  was  summoned  to  minister  in  dis- 
tant places.  Calls  came  to  him  from  London  and  else- 
where, but  in  his  affection  for  the  people  among  whom 
he  was  ordained,  he  was  immovable,  and  he  made 
Shortwood  his  home  until  his  death,  December  14, 
1799.  A  few  days  before  his  death  he  said,  "If  I  could 
mention  nothing  of  former  experiences,  I  can,  / 
can,  at  this  moment  go  to  Jesus  as  a  poor  sinner, 
lon2:ing;  for  salvation  in  his  own  sovereiu-n  way."  His 
life  was  one  of  usefulness  and  honor  from  its  begin- 
ning to  its  close. 

Mr.  Francis  was  the  author  of  "Conflagration;  a 
Poem  in  Four  Parts"  (1770);  "An  Elegv  on  the  Death 
of  Rev.  G.  Whitefield"  (1770);  two  volumes  of  Welsh 
Hymns  (1774,  1786);  and  "An  Elegy  on  the  Death  of 


And  their  hymns.  67 

the  Rev.  Caleb  Evans,  d.d."  (1791).  In  Vol.  2  of  Rip- 
jDon's  "Register"  (pages  327,  328)  there  is  a  poem 
by  Mr.  Francis,  entitled  "The  Dying  Christian  Bidding 
Adieu  to  the  World,"  occasioned  by  the  death  of  sev- 
eral eminent  ministers  and  laymen,  commencing 

Ye  objects  of  sense  and  enjoyments  of  time, 

Which  oft  have  delighted  my  heart, 
I  soon  shall  exchange  you  for  views  more  sublime, 

And  joys  that  shall  never  depart. 

In  volume  3  of  the  "Register"  (pages  204-208),  Mr. 
Francis  has,  in  forty-four  stanzas,  "  An  Affectionate  Ad- 
dress to  the  Stockbridge  Indians,  Occasioned  by,  and 
Founded  upon,  their  Correspondence  with  the  New 
York  Baptist  Association."  One  of  the  stanzas  is  as 
follows : 

The  glorious  light  of  truth  divine 
Shall  o'er  your  gloomy  regions  shine; 
And  in  your  long-benighted  skies 
The  Sun  of  Righteousness  shall  rise. 

He  wrote  also  a  few  other  hymns  in  English  for  spe- 
cial occasions. 

One  of  the  best  known  of  his  hymns  is  the  fol- 
lowing : 

My  gracious  Eedeemer  I  love, 

His  praises  aloud  I  '11  proclaim, 
And  join  with  the  armies  above, 

To  shout  hi*  adorable  name. 
To  gaze  on  his  glories  divine 

Shall  be  my  eternal  employ; 
To  see  them  incessantly  shine, 

My  boundless,  ineffable  joy. 

He  freely  redeemed,  with  his  blood, 

My  soul  from  the  confines  of  hell, 
To  live  on  the  smiles  of  my  God, 

And  in  his  sweet  presence  to  dwell, 
To  shine  with  the  angels  of  light, 

With  saints  and  with  seraphs  to  sing, 
To  view,  with  eternal  delight, 

My  Jesus,  my  Savior,  my  King. 


68  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

In  Meshech,  as  yet,  I  reside, 

A  darksome  and  restless  abode! 
Molested  with  foes  on  each  side, 

And  longing  to  dwell  with  my  God. 
O,  when  shall  my  spirit  exchange 

This  cell  of  corruptible  clay, 
For  mansions  celestial,  and  range 

Thro'  realms  of  ineffable  day. 

My  glorious  Redeemer;  I  long 

To  see  thee  descend  on  the  cloud, 
Amidst  the  bright  numberless  throng, 

And  mix  with  the  triumphing  crowd; 
O,  when  wilt  thou  bid  me  ascend. 

To  join  in  thy  praises  above. 
To  gaze  on  thee,  world  without  end, 

And  feast  on  thy  ravishing  love. 

Nor  sorrow,  nor  sickness,  nor  pain, 

Nor  sin,  nor  temptation,  nor  fear, 
Shall  ever  molest  me  again, 

Perfection  of  glory  reigns  there. 
This  soul  and  this  body  shall  shine 

In  robes  of  salvation  and  praise, 
And  banquet  on  pleasures  divine. 

Where  God  his  full  beauty  displays. 

Ye  palaces,  sceptres,  and  crowns. 

Your  pride  with  disdain  I  survey; 
Your  pomps  are  but  shadows  and  sounds, 

And  pass  in  a  moment  away ; 
The  crown  that  my  Savior  bestows, 

Yon  permanent  sun  shall  outshine; 
My  joy  everlastingly  flows, 

My  God,  my  Redeemer,  is  mine. 

In  the  form  in  which  it  now  appears,  the  famihar 
hymn 

Jesus,  and  shall  it  ever  be, 

of  which  Joseph  Grigg  was  the  original  author,  was 
re-written  by  Mr.  Francis  for  Rippon's  "  Selection." 
William  Carey,  writing  to  Dr.  Rippon  from  Seram- 
pore,  April  8,  1801,  referring  to  a  baptism  at  Seram- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  69 

pore  on  the  last  Sabbath  of  1800,  one  of  the  candi- 
dates being  his  son,  says:  "The  ordinance  was  admin- 
istered in  the  river,  just  opposite  to  our  house.  The 
river  here  is  a  full  half  mile  wide.  We  had  a  good 
number  of  people,  Europeans,  Portuguese  (natives), 
and  Hindoos.  I  addressed  them  in  the  Beng-al  tons-ue. 
We  sung  a  Bengal  translation  of  the  451st  hymn  of 
your  '  Selection,' 

Jesus,  and  shall  it  ever  be, 

after  which  I  prayed,  and  descended  into  the  water." 


ROBERT  ROBINSON. 

1735-1790. 

Few  hjrmns  in  the  English  language  have  more  fre- 
quently given  expression  to  the  desires  of  pious  hearts 
than  the  one  commencing 

Come,  thou  fount  of  every  blessing. 

Its  author,  Robert  Robinson,  was  born  in  Swaffham, 
Norfolk,  September  27,  1735.  In  his  eighth  year 
his  parents  removed  to  Scarning,  in  the  same  county, 
where  he  received  excellent  instruction  in  an  endowed 
grammar  school.  In  his  fourteenth  year,  the  death  of 
his  father  reduced  the  family  to  poverty,  and  Robert 
was  apprenticed  to  a  hairdresser  in  London.  He  had 
acquired  a  love  of  learning,  however,  and  his  fondness 
for  books  followed  him.  By  early  rising  he  continued 
his  study  of  the  classics,  and  was  more  ready  to  give 
attention  to  such  books  as  came  in  his  way  than  to 
business. 

May  24,  1752,  in  his  seventeenth  year,  he  went  to 
hear  Whitefield  preach.     In  a  letter   to   Whitefield, 


70.  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

written  six  years  later,  he  says :  "  I  confess  it  was  to 
spy  the  nakedness  of  the  land  I  came  —  to  pity  the 
foily  of  the  preacher,  the  infatuation  of  the  hearers, 
and  to  abhor  the  doctrine."  Whitefield's  text  was 
Matt.  iii.  7.  Of  the  sermon  Mr.  Robinson  says  :  "Mr. 
Whitefield  described  the  Sadducean  character  :  this  did 
not  touch  me.  I  thought  myself  as  good  a  Christian 
as  any  man  in  England.  From  this  he  went  to  that  of 
the  Pharisees.  He  described  their  exterior  decency,  but 
observed  that  the  poison  of  the  viper  rankled  in  their 
hearts.  This  rather  shook  me.  At  length,  in  the 
course  of  his  sermon,  he  abruptly  broke  off,  paused 
for  a  few  moments,  then  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears, 
lifted  up  his  hands  and  eyes,  and  exclaimed,  '  Oh,  my 
hearers,  the  wrath's  to  come!  the  wrath's  to  comef 
These  words  sank  into  my  heart  like  lead  in  the  waters. 
I  wept,  and  when  the  sermon  was  ended  retired  alone. 
For  days  and  weeks  I  could  think  of  little  else.  Those 
awful  words  would  follow  me  wherever  I  went." 
They  followed  him  two  years  and  seven  months  before 
peace  came  to  his  troubled  soul.  December  10,  1755, 
to  use  his  own  words,  he  "  found  full  and  free  forgive- 
ness through  the  precious  blood  of  Jesus  Christ." 

For  some  time  after  completing  his  apprqnticeship, 
he  continued  at  his  employment  in  London.  After 
hearing  Wesley  and  Whitefield,  and  associating  with 
them  in  Christian  work,  while  visiting  friends  at  Mil- 
denhall,  in  Norfolk,  in  1758,  he  was  requested  to 
preach,  by  some  Christians  there  "  who  had  the  word 
preached  but  now  and  then."  He  yielded  to  their 
earnest  solicitations,  and  subsequently  preached  in 
Norwich.  The  people  flocked  in  crowds  to  hear  him, 
and  his  preaching  was  in  demonstration  of  the  spirit 
and  with  power. 

At  this  time  he  had  not  formally  separated  from  the 
church  of  Eno-land,  and  a  rich  relative  made  liberal 
inducements  to  him  if  he  would  leave  the  "  Metho- 
dists "  and  take  orders  in  the  Established  Church  ;  but 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  71 

he  declined.  About  this  time  doubts  were  awakened 
in  his  mind  concerning  infant  baptism.  These  led  to 
an  examination  of  the  subject,  and  as  a  result  of  his 
investigations  he  became  a  Baptist.  Not  long  after 
he  was  invited  to  preach  by  the  Baptist  church  in 
Cambridge,  though  he  did  not  accept  the  pastoral 
office  until  nearly  two  years  later.  He  was  ordained 
June  11,  1761.  At  Cambridge  his  success  was  mar- 
velous. "  Members  of  the  University,  and  other 
hearers,  who  had  never  in  their  lives  entered  a  Baptist 
meeting-house,  became  regular  attendants.  In  1764, 
a  new  edifice,  capable  of  seating  six  hundred  persons, 
was  built  and  paid  for.  V/hile  thus  prospering  in  his 
ministry  in  this  University  town,  he  enlarged  the  circle 
of  his  influence  by  extensive  village  preaching  in  the 
surrounding  country,  and  wherever  he  went  '  the 
common  people  heard  him  gladly.'  " 

In  the  year  1770,  he  entered  upon  an  extended  lit- 
erary career.  In  1774,  he  published  his  "  Arcana;  or 
the  Principles  of  the  late  Petitioners  to  Parliament  for 
Relief  in  the  Matter  of  Subscription."  This  was  a 
masterly  defence  of  the  principles  of  nonconformity. 
A  translation  of  "  Saurin's  Sermons,"  in  five  volumes, 
with  a  "  Memoir  of  Saurin  and  the  French  Reforma- 
tion," followed  in  1775-1782.  In  1776,  he  published 
"A  Plea  for  the  Divinity  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ"; 
in  1777,  "^  An  Essay  on  the  Composition  of  a  Sermon"; 
in  1778,  "A  Plan  of  Lectures  on  the  Principles  of  Non- 
conformity ";  in  1780,  "  The  General  Doctrine  of  Tol- 
eration applied  to  the  Particular  Case  of  Free  Com- 
munion"; in  1782,  his  "Political  Catechism";  and  in 
1786,  a  volume  of  "Village  Sermons."  In  1781,  at 
the  request  of  the  Baptists  in  London,  he  commenced 
a  "History  of  the  Baptists,"  but  the  work  proved  to  be 
a  greater  one  than  he  was  able  to  perform.  As  the 
result  of  his  labors,  however,  we  have  his  "  History  of 
Baptism,"  which  was  published  in  1790,  and  "Eccle- 
siastical Researches,"  which  appeared  in  1792,  two 
years  after  his  death. 


72  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Miller  ("  Singers  and  Songs  of  the  Church,"  p.  266) 
says  that  about  the  year  1780,  Mr.  Robinson  "  began 
to  separate  from  his  former  rehgious  associates,  and  to 
take  pleasure  in  the  society  of  such  men  as  Paulus  and 
Dr.  Priestly";  and  he  quotes  from  Robinson's  biogra- 
pher. Rev.  William  Robinson,  the  statement  that  "  he 
was  one  of  the  most  decided  Unitarians  of  the  as-e." 
Duffield  ("English  Hymns,"  pp.  355,  356)  says  that 
this  statement  is  unfair,  and  refers  to  a  sermon  by 
Robinson,  in  a  volume  published  in  1786,  entitled 
"  The  death  of  Jesus  Christ  obtained  the  remission  of 
sins,"  as  a  vindication  of  Robinson's  substantial  ortho- 
doxy. I  find  in  Rippon's  "Register,"  Vol.  3,  p.  721, 
"  A  Sermon  by  the  late  Rev.  Robert  Robinson,  of  Cam- 
bridge, Preached  at  Rev.  Mr.  Britton's,  Sabbath 
evening,  September  14,  1781."  It  will  be  seen  that 
this  sermon  was  preached  after  the  time  when  Mr. 
Robinson  is  said  to  have  become  a  Unitarian,  but  in  it 
he  says  of  Christ,  "he  was  God";  and  in  another  pas- 
sage he  adds,  "  Christ,  in  himself,  is  a  person  infinitely 
lovely  both  as  God  and  man."  He  certainly  was  not 
a  Unitarian  when  he  preached  this  sermon,  which 
throughout  is  deeply  evangelical  in  doctrine  and 
spirit.  Mr.  Robinson  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Dr. 
Priestly,  and  the  latter's  views  may,  as  Mr.  Duffield 
suggests,  have  "  affected  the  judgment  of  those  who 
were  disposed  to  think  uncharitably  of  the  preacher 
of  Cambridge."  Mr.  Robinson  died  at  Birmingham, 
where  he  had  gone  to  preach  for  Dr.  Priestly.  The 
celebrated  Robert  Hall  was  his  successor  in  the  pastor- 
ate at  Cambridge.  Having  been  shown  a  copy  of  an 
epitaph  which  it  was  proposed  to  place  upon  the  wall 
of  the  church  in  Birmingham,  where  Mr.  Rol)inson 
last  preached,  Mr.  Hall  prepared  a  substitute  as  fol- 
lows :  "  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Robert 
Robinson,  of  Cambridge,  the  intrepid  champion  of  lib- 
erty, civil  and  religious.  Endowed  with  a  genius  bril- 
liant and  penetrating,  united  to  an  indefatigable  Indus- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  73 

try,  his  mind  was  richly  furnished  with  an  inexhausti- 
ble variety  of  knowledge,  his  eloquence  was  the 
delight  of  every  assembly,  and  his  conversation  the 
charm  of  every  private  circle.  In  him  the  erudition 
of  the  scholar,  the  discrimination  of  the  historian,  and 
the  boldness  of  the  reformer,  were  united  in  an  emi- 
nent deoree  with  the  virtues  which  adorn  the  man  and 

o 

the  Christian.  He  died  at  Birmingham,  on  the  8th  of 
June,  1790,  aged  54  years,  and  was  buried  near  this 
spot." 

Robinson  was  the  author  of  two  well  known  hymns. 
One,  commencing 

Mighty  God,  while  angels  bless  thee, 

had  this  origin,  according  to  Dr.  Joseph  Belcher:  "It 
was  composed  for  the  use  of  Benjamin  Williams,  dea- 
con of  the  Baptist  church  at  Reading.  Benjamin  was 
a  favorite  of  Robinson  when  a  boy.  One  day  the 
poet  took  the  boy  into  his  lap,  and  under  the  influence 
of  that  affectionate  feeling  which  a  child's  love  in- 
spires, he  wrote  : 

Mighty  God,  while  angels  bless  thee, 

May  an   infant  praise  thy  name  ? 
Lord  of  men  as  well  as  angels, 

Thou  art  every  creature's  theme. 

So  far  the  poet's  mind  seems  to  have  been  influenced 
by  the  child  he  was  holding.  But  a  warm  glow  of 
religious  feeling  was  awakened  within  him,  and  the 
second  stanza  was  one  of  remarkable  fervor  and 
power : 

Lord  of  every  land  and  nation,. 

Ancient  of  eternal  days, 
Sounded  through  the  whole  creation, 

Be  thy  just  and  lawful  praise. 

After  completing  the  whole  hymn,  he  read  it  to  the 
child,  and  put  it  playfully  into  his  hand.  Well  do 
we  remember,"  adds  Dr.   Belcher,  "the  deep  feeling 


74  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

with  which  Dea.  Williams  described  to  us  the  scene, 
as  we  sat  with  him  by  his  own  fireside." 
The  remainder  of  this  hymn  is  as  follows : 

Tor  the  grandeur  of  tliy  nature, 
Grand  beyond  a  seraph's  thought; 

For  created  works  of  power,  — 

Works  with  skill  and  kindness  wrought; 

For  thy  providence,  that  governs 
Thro'  thine  empii-e's  wide  domain; 

"Wings  an  angel,  guides  a  sparrow; 
Blessed  be  thy  gentle  reign. 

But  thy  rich,  thy  free  redemption, 
Dark  through  brightness  all  along; 

Thought  is  poor,  and  poor  expression, 
"Who  dare  sing  that  awful  song  ? 

Brightness  of  the  Father's  glory, 

Shall  thy  praise  unuttered  lie  ? 
Fly,  my  tongue,  such  guilty  silence! 

Sing  the  Lord  who  came  to  die. 

Did  archangels  sing  thy  coming  ? 

Did  the  shepherds  learn  their  lays  ? 
Shame  would  cover  me  ungrateful, 

Should  my  tongue  refuse  to  praise. 

From  the  highest  throne  in  glory, 

To  the  cross  of  deepest  woe; 
All  to  ransom  guilty  captives; 

Flow  my  praise,  forever  flow. 

Go,  return,  immortal  Savior! 

Leave  thy  footstool,  take  thy  throne; 
Thence  return,  and  reign  forever, 

Be  the  kingdom  all  thine  own. 

The  only  other  hymn  known  to  have  been  written 
by  Mr.  Robinson,  is  that  to  which  reference  has  al- 
ready been  made, 

Come,  thou  fount  of  every  blessing. 

The  late  Daniel  Sedgwick,  a  well  known  hjnnnolo- 
gist,  asserted  the  claim  that  the  Countess  of  Hunting- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  75 

don  was  the  author  of  this  hymn.  The  claim  was 
based,  he  said,  upon  evidence  afforded  by  a  manuscript 
in  his  possession,  "in  which  the  hymn  is  attributed  to 
her  by  her  friend  Diana  Vandeleur,  afterward  Diana 
Bindon."  The  claim,  however,  has  been  successfully 
controverted  by  Miller  ("Singers  and  Songs  of  the 
Church,"  pp.  267,  268). 

In  this  hymn  I  cannot  but  think  that  we  have  an 
echo  of  Robinsoti's  own  experience  in  the  lines, 

Jesus  sought  me  when  a  stranger, 
Wandering  from  the  fold  of  God; 

He  to  rescue  me  from  danger, 
Interposed  his  precious  blood. 

I  love  also  to  think  that  in  Robinson's  own  life,  on 
to  its  close,  the  prayer  was  answered, 

Oh!  to  grace  how  great  a  debtor, 

Daily  I  'm  constrained  to  be ; 
Let  that  grace,  Lord,  like  a  fetter, 

Bind  my  wandering  heart  to  thee. 


SAMUEL  MEDLEY. 

1738-1799. 
The  author  of  the  well  known  hjonn 

O  could  I  speak  the  matchless  worth 

was  born  June  23,  1738,  at  Chestnut,  Hertfordshire, 
where  his  father,  a  friend  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton,  kept  a 
boarding-school.  When  fourteen  years  of  age  he  was 
apprenticed  to  an  oil-dealer  in  London,  but  at  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  becoming  dissatisfied  with  his  em- 
ployment, he  availed  himself  of  the  privilege  of  com- 
pleting his  apprenticeship  in  the  royal  navy.     He  en- 


76  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

tered  the  service  as  a  midshipman,  and  in  a  short  time 
was  promoted  to  the  position  of  master's  mate.  In  a 
sea  fight  off  Cape  Lagos,  August  18,  1759,  he  was 
severely  wounded.  On  the  return  of  the  fleet  he  was 
carried  to  the  house  of  his  grandfather,  then  deacon 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Eagle  Street,  which  was 
under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Andrew  Gifford,  d.d. 
The  young  officer  had  thus  far  led  a  wild  life,  but  the 
pious  efforts  of  his  grandfather  to  *  induce  him  to 
choose  "the  good  part"  were  crowned  with  success, 
and  in  December,  1760,  he  united  with  Mr.  Gilford's 
church. 

Though  jDromotion  was  promised  to  him,  he  now 
abandoned  the  naval  service,  and  having  married  in 
1762,  he  opened  a  school  in  King  Street,  Soho,  and 
devoted  himself  to  the  study  of  the  classics  and  sa- 
cred literature.  In  August,  1766,  he  was  licensed  to 
preach,  and  in  the  following  year  he  became  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  Watford,  Hertfordshire,  where 
he  remained  until  1772,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Liverpool.  His 
ministry  here  was  greatly  blessed,  and  he  continued 
to  serve  this  church  until  his  death,  July,  1799,  in  the 
sixty-first  year  of  his  age.  He  never  forgot  the  expe- 
riences of  his  early  sailor  life,  and  its  familiar  imagery 
was  present  with  him  to  the  last.  "I  am  a  poor  shat- 
tered bark  just  about  to  gain  the  blissful  harbor,"  he 
said  one  day,  just  before  his  death;  "and  oh!  how 
sweet  will  be  the  port  after  the  storm!  But  a  point 
or  two  more,  and  I  shall  be  at  my  heavenly  Father's 
home." 

Like  other  preachers  of  his  time,  he  was  accustomed 
to  write  hymns  to  aid  in  enforcing  the  lessons  of  the 
sermon.  Miller  ("  Singers  and  Songs  of  the  Church," 
p.  271,  and  he  is  followed  by  Hatfield,  "Poets  of  the 
Church,"  p.  418),  says:  "Thirty-six  of  his  hymns  were 
printed  as  leaflets  between  1786  and  1790.  I  have, 
however,  a   copy   of    'Hymns   on  Select  Portions  of 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  77 

Scripture,'  by  Mr.  Medley,  2d  Edition,  Bristol,  1785." 
In  1789,  by  request,  Mr.  Medley  published  a  volume 
of  his  hymns,  and  another  and  larger  volume  in  1794. 
Doubtless  it  was  from  this  edition  of  1787  that  Rev. 
John  Stanford,  in  his  "Collection  of  Evangelical 
Hymns,"  New  York,  took  fifteen  of  Medley's  hymns, 
their  first  introduction,  probably,  into  this  country. 
An  enlai'ged  edition,  containing  230  hymns,  was  pub- 
lished in  1800,  the  year  following  his  death.  It  was 
entitled  "Hymns.  The  Public  Worship  and  Private 
Devotions  of  True  Christians  Assisted  in  Some 
Thoughts  in  Verse;  Principally  Drawn  from  Select 
Passages  of  the  Word  of  God."  His  memoir,  com- 
piled by  his  son,  was  published  the  same  year. 

Quite  a  number  of  Medley's  hymns  are  found  in  mod- 
ern collections;  and  two,  aside  from  the  one  referred 
to  at  the  beginning  of  this  sketch,  are  still  as  familiar 
as  household  words  : 

Awake,  my  soul,  in  joyful  lays, 

and 

O  what  amazing  words  of  grace 
Are  in  the  Gospel  found. 

Both  of  these  hjmins,  the  first  with  eight  stanzas 
and  the  second  with  seven,  are  found  in  the  collection 
(2d  Edition)  pubhshed  in  Bristol  in  1785.  Duffield 
("English  Hymns,"  p.  623)  says,  "It  was  when  Mr. 
Medley  was  visiting  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Phillips,  a 
prominent  Baptist,  in  London,  that  he  said  to  the 
daughter  of  his  host :  '  Betsey,  will  3^ou  bring  me  some 
paper  and  ink?'  With  these  he  retired  to  his  room, 
and  presently  came  back  with  this  hymn, 

Awake,  my  soul,  to  joyful  lays, 

written.  This  'Betsey,'  who  was  born  in  1783,  be- 
came Mrs.  Dodds,  and  died  in  America,  in  1861,  and 
these  particulars  came  from  her  lips  through  relatives 
residing  in  Washington,  D.  C.     The  date  usually  given 


78  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

to  the  hymn  is  1785,  and  Mr.  Medley  died  in  1799.  It 
is  therefore  a  later  production  than  was  supposed." 
The  fact  that  the  hymn  in  question  is  in  Medley's  Col- 
lection, published  in  1785,  shows  that  this  is  an  error. 
The  following  fine  hymn  (133)  is  certainly  worthy 
of  a  place  with  these  : 

Dearest  of  names,  our  Lord,  our  King  ! 
Jesus  thy  praise  we  humbly  sing; 
In  cheerful  songs  will  spend  our  breath. 
And  in  thee  triumph  over  death. 

Death  is  no  more  among  our  foes, 
Since  Christ  the  mighty  conqueror  rose; 
Both  power  and  sting  the  Savior  broke, 
He  died,  and  gave  the  finished  stroke. 

Saints  die,  and  we  should  gently  weep; 
Sweetl}^  in  Jesus'  arms  they  sleep; 
Far  from  this  world  of  sin  and  woe, 
Nor  sin,  nor  pain,  nor  grief  they  know. 

Death  no  terrific  foe  appears, 
An  angel's  lovely  form  he  wears; 
A  friendly  messenger  he  proves 
To  every  soul  whom  Jesus  loves. 

Death  is  a  sleep;  and  O,  how  sweet, 
To  souls  prepared  its  stroke  to  meet ! 
Their  dying  beds,  their  graves  are  blessed. 
For  all  to  them  is  peace  and  rest. 

Their  bodies  sleep,  their  souls  take  wing, 
Uprise  to  heaven,  and  there  they  sing 
With  joy,  before  the  Savior's  face, 
Triumphant  in  victorious  grace. 

Soon  shall  the  earth's  remotest  bound 
Feel  the  archangel's  trumpet  sound; 
Then  shall  the  graves'  dark  caverns  shake, 
And  joyful,  all  the  saints  shall  wake. 

Bodies  and  souls  shall  then  unite, 
Arrayed  in  glory  strong  and  bright; 
And  all  his  saints  will  Jesus  bring, 
His  face  to  see,  his  love  to  sing. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  79 

O,  may  I  live  with  Jesus  nigh, 
And  sleep  in  Jesus  when  I  die! 
Then  joyful,  when  from  death  I  wake, 
I  shall  eternal  bliss  partake. 


JOHN  FAWCETT. 
1739-1817. 

The  date  of  Dr.  Fawcett's  birth,  as  given  above,  is 
old  style,  but  according  to  our  present  reckoning,  he 
was  born  January  17,  1740.  Rev.  W.  R.  Stevenson, 
of  Nottingliam,  who  lias  given  much  attention  to  Bap- 
tist hymnology,  writes  :  "  This  I  learn  from  a  valua- 
ble book  sent  me  by  Dr.  Fawcett's  grandson,  —  a  life 
of  Fawcett  by  his  son  who  assisted  him  in  his  school. 
I  found  it  necessary  to  allow  for  the  change  of  style, 
in  order  to  understand  statements  made  in  the  book 
concerning  Dr.  Fawcett's  age  at  certain  periods.  In 
the  book  itself,  the  date  is  given  thus  '  1739  —  1740 
(0.  S.)'  The  elate  usually  given,  in  sketches  of  Dr. 
Fawcett's  life,  is  January  6,  1739." 

Dr.  Fawcett's  birth-place  was  Lidget  Green,  near 
Bradford,  Yorkshire.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
eleven  years  of  age,  leaving  a  widow  and  several 
children  in  humble  circumstances.  When  John  was 
thirteen  years  old,  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  trader  in 
Bradford,  with  whom  he  remained  six  years.  During 
his  apprenticeship,  when  sixteen  years  old,  he  was 
converted  under  the  preaching  of  a  sermon  by  George 
Whitefield,  from  the  text,  John  iii.  14 :  "  And  as 
Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the  wilderness,  even  so 
must  the  Son  of  man  be  lifted  up."  Referring  to  this 
sermon  afterward,  he  wrote,  "As  long  as  life  remains 
I  shall  remember  both  the  text  and  the  sermon."  For 
awhile   after   his    conversion,    he   attended   the    ser- 


80  BAPTIST  HYlVrN"  WRITERS 

vices  of  the  church  of  England,  but  early  in  1758, 
he  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Bradford,  which 
had  just  been  organized. 

He  at  once  made  himself  useful  in  church  work, 
and  soon  the  question  came  before  him  concerning  his 
duty  to  preach  the  gospel.  No  unworthy  motives 
should  influence  his  decision.  He  wrote  in  his  diary  : 
"  0  Lord,  I  know  not  what  to  do,  but  my  eyes  are 
upon  thee.  If  in  thy  wise  counsel  thou  hast  fixed 
upon  me  to  bear  thy  name  to  Gentile  sinners,  I  earn- 
estly implore  that  thou  wouldst  give  me  a  right  spirit, 
and  bestow  upon  me  every  needful  qualification  for 
that  most  difficult  and  important  work.  If  thou  dost 
not  call  me  to  do  it,  0  Father,  not  my  will,  but  thine 
be  done."  The  decision  was  at  length  made,  and  in 
1763,  at  the  request  of  his  pastor,  he  began  to  preach. 
In  the  following  year,  February,  1764,  he  became  pas- 
tor of  the  small  Baptist  church  at  Wainsgate,  near 
Halifax,  West  Riding,  of  Yorkshire,  where  he  was 
ordained  July  31,  1765. 

During  his  residence  at  Bradford,  Dr.  Fawcett  had 
written  quite  a  number  of  short  poems.  These  he 
published  in  1767,  under  the  title  "  Poetic  Essays." 
In  1772,  he  went  to  London  to  preach  for  Dr.  Gill, 
the  eminent  expositor,  then  drawing  near  to  the  end 
of  his  lono;  and  useful  life.  After  Dr.  Gill's  decease 
he  was  invited  to  become  the  expositor's  successor. 
It  seemed  to  him  his  duty  to  accept.  Says  Dr.  Belcher : 
"He  preached  his  farewell  sermon  to  his  church  in 
Yorkshire,  and  loaded  six  or  seven  wagons  with  his 
furniture,  books,  etc.,  to  be  carried  to  his  new  residence. 
All  this  time  the  members  of  his  poor  church  were 
almost  broken-hearted  ;  fervently  did  they  pray  that 
even  now  he  might  not  leave  them ;  and,  as  the  time 
for  his  departure  arrived,  men,  women,  and  children, 
clung  around  him  and  his  family  in  perfect  agony  of 
soul.  The  last  wagon  was  being  loaded,  when  the 
good  man  and  his  wife  sat  down  on  the  packing  cases 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  81 

to  weep.  Looking  into  his  tearful  face,  while  tears 
like  rain  fell  down  her  own  cheeks,  his  devoted  wife 
said,  '  Oh  John,  John,  I  cannot  bear  this !  I  know  not 
how  to  go  ! '  '  Nor  I,  either,'  said  the  good  man:  'nor 
will  we  go ;  unload  #the  wagons,  and  put  everything  in 
the  place  where  it  was  before.'  The  people  cried  for 
joy.  A  letter  was  sent  to  London  to  tell  them  that 
his  coming  to  them  was  impossible  ;  and  the  good  man 
buckled  on  his  armor  for  renewed  labors,  on  a  salary 
of  less  than  two  hundred  dollars  a  year." 

It  was  to  commemorate  this  incident  in  his  life  that 
Fawcett  wrote  his  well  known  hymn : 

Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 

Our  hearts  in  Christian  love; 
The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds 

Is  like  to  that  above. 

Before  our  Father's  throne 

We  pour  our  ardent  prayers; 
Our  fears,  our  hopes,  our  aims  are  one, 

Our  comforts  and  our  cares. 

"We  share  our  mutual  woes ; 

Our  mutual  burdens  bear; 
And  often  for  each  other  flows 

The  sympathizing  tear. 

"When  we  asunder  part, 

It  gives  us  inward  pain ; 
But  we  shall  still  be  joined  in  heart, 

And  hope  to  meet  again. 

This  glorious  hope  revives 

Our  courage  by  the  way ; 
"While  each  in  expectation  lives. 

And  longs  to  see  the  day. 

From  sorrow,  toil  and  pain. 

And  sin,  we  shall  be  free;  » 

And  perfect  love  and  friendship  reign 
Through  all  eternity. 

6 


82  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

These  lines   have   become    dear   to    Christian   hearts 
wherever  the  Enghsh  language  is  spoken. 

In  1772,  Fawcett  published  "The  Christian's  Hum- 
ble Plea  for  his  God  and  Savior ;  in  answer  to  several 
Pamphlets  lately  published  by  the.  Rev.  Dr.  Priestly." 
In  1774  appeared  "  The  Sick  Man's  Employ."     In  1777 
a  new  chapel,  which  would  seat  six  hundred  people, 
was  built  for  him  at  Hebden  Bridge,  near  Wainsgate. 
His  residence  was  at  Brearley  Hall,  in  the   village  of 
Midgley,  in  the  same  neighborhood,  where  he  opened 
a   boarding-school,    subsequently   removed  to    Ewood 
Hall,  which  he  continued  through  life  as  an  aid  in  the 
support  of  his  growing  family.     In  1778  he  published 
his  "  Advice   to  Youth,  on  the  Advantages  of  Early» 
Piety,"  which  passed   through  several  editions.     His 
hymn    book    appeared    in    1782.      It    was    entitled 
"  Hymns  adapted    to    the    Circumstances   of    Public 
Worship   and  Private    Devotion."     It  contained   one 
hundred  and  sixty-six   hymns.     Many  of  them  were 
written  to  be   sung  after  the   sermon  to  which  they 
had  reference,  and   were  composed  in  the    midnight 
hours  preceding  the  Sabbath.     An  "Essay  on  Anger" 
appeared  in  1788.     "  The  Cause  of  Christ;  the  Chris- 
tian's Glory,"    and  "  Considerations   in  favor   of  the 
newly  organized  Missionary  Society,"  followed  in  1793, 
the    "Life   of  the   Rev.    Oliver  Heywood"    in   1796, 
and  "  Christ  Precious  to  those  that  Believe"  in  1799. 
Dr.  Fawcett  was  also  the  author  of  "  The  History  of 
John  Wise,"  a  book  for  children. 

It  is  an  evidence  of  Dr.  Fawcett's  high  reputation 
as  a  scholar  and  an  educator  that  in  1793,  after  the 
death  of  Dr.  Caleb  Evans,  he  was  invited  to  succeed 
the  latter  as  President  of  the  Baptist  Academy  at 
Bristol,  an  honor  which  he  declined.  In  1811,  he  pub- 
lished, as  the  fruit  of  his  ripe  biblical  knowledge,  his 
"  Devotional  Family  Bible."  His  life  was  one  of  suf- 
fering as  well  as  of  toil,  and  his  sufferings  grew  heavier 
rather  than  lighter  in  the  closing  years  of  his  life.     A 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  83 

paralytic  stroke,  in  February,  1816,  was  the  occasion  of 
his  relinquishment  of  pastoral  work,  and  he  died  July 
25,  1817,  having  as  the  end  drew  near  devoutly  ex- 
claimed, "Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly!" 

Dr.  Belcher  gives  the  following  account  of  Dr. 
Fawcett's  last  public  service  :  "  Let  us  take  our  last 
look  at  this  excellent  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  He 
has  ascended  the  pulpit  at  an  association  in  Yorkshire. 
A  thousand  eyes  are  fixed  on  him  in  love  and  admira- 
tion, and  all  present  express  their  conviction  by  words 
and  smiles,  that  a  spiritual  feast  has  been  provided  for 
them.  As  a  good  soldier  of  Christ,  he  has  endured 
hardness  for  more  than  half  a  century.  His  praise 
has  been  in  all  the  churches,  his  ministry  has  been 
greatly  prized  through  the  whole  of  that  populous 
district,  and  his  usefulness  has  been  honored  at  home 
and  abroad,  in  the  college  and  in  the  place  itself.  He 
has  now  come  to  bear  his  dying  testimony  to  the  doc- 
trine of  the  cross,  and  to  bid  farewell  to  the  ministers 
and  friends  with  whom  he  has  been  so  long  associated. 
Many  of  them  have  a  strong  presentiment  that  they 
shall  see  his  face  no  more,  and  are  prepared  to  receive 
his  message  as  from  the  lips  of  a  man  who  has  finished 
his  course,  and  now  stands  at  the  entrance  of  heaven. 
As  he  rises  in  the  pulpit,  a  deathlike  silence  over- 
spreads the  crowded  congregation,  and  all  ears  are 
opened  to  catch  the  words  of  inspiration.  With  a 
tremulous  voice,  and  with  deep  emotions,  he  reads  the 
text ;  ^  This  day  I  am  going  the  way  of  all  the  earth,' 
Josh,  xxiii.  14,  and  long  before  he  finished  his  discourse 
the  place  became  a  Bochim  —  the  house  of  God  — 
the  gate  of  heaven.  The  sermon,  which  was  commit- 
ted to  the  press  by  the  agency  of  its  hearers,  yet 
exists  as  a  monument  to  his  love  of  truth,  his  holy 
affection,  and  his  zeal  for  the  extension  of  the  doc- 
trines of  sovereign  mercy." 

By  some  the  hymn 

Lord,  dismiss  us  with  thy  blessing, 


84  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

is  ascribed  to  Fawcett.     Among  his  hymns,  still  found 
in  the  best  collections,  are  the  following  : 

"Religion  is  the  chief  concern," 
"  How  precious  is  the  book  divine," 
"  Thy  way,  O  God,  is  in  the  sea," 
"  Thy  presence,  gracious  God,  afford," 
"  Praise  to  thee,  thou  great  Creator," 
"  Thus  far  my  God  hath  led  me  on," 
"  "With  humble  heart  and  tongue." 

The  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was 
conferred  upon  Mr.  Fawcett  by  Brown  University,  in 
1811. 


JOHN  LANGFORD. 


The  following  hymn,  found  in  many  collections,  has 
long  been  ascribed  to  Rev.  John  Langford: 

Kow  begin  the  heavenly  theme, 
Sing  aloud  in  Jesus'  name! 
Ye,  who  his  salvation  prove, 
Triumph  in  redeeming  love. 

Ye,  who  see  the  Father's  grace 
Beaming  in  the  Savior's  face, 
As  to  Canaan  on  ye  move. 
Praise  and  bless  redeeming  love. 

Mourning  souls,  dry  up  your  tears; 
Banish  all  your  guilty  fears ; 
See  your  guilt  and  curse  remove, 
Canceled  by  redeeming  love. 

Ye,  alas  I  who  long  have  been 
Willing  slaves  of  death  and  sin, 
Now  from  bliss  no  longer  rove; 
Stop  and  taste  redeeming  love. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  85 

Welcome  all  by  sin  opprest, 
"Welcome  to  his  sacred  rest; 
Nothing  brought  him  from  above, 
Nothing  but  redeeming  love. 

When  his  spirit  leads  us  home, 
When  we  to  his  glory  come, 
We  shall  all  the  fullness  prove 
Of  our  Lord's  redeeming  love. 

He  subdued  th'  infernal  powers, 
Those  tremendous  foes  of  ours 
From  their  cursed  empire  drove. 
Mighty  in  redeeming  love. 

Hither,  then,  your  music  bring, 
Strike  aloud  each  cheerful  string! 
Mortals,  join  the  host  above. 
Join  to  praise  redeeming  love. 

It  is  now  generally  believed,  however,  that  the  au- 
thorship of  this  hymn  is  erroneously  ascribed  to  Lang- 
ford.  The  hymn  is  found  in  a  collection  of  "Hymns 
and  Spiritual  Songs,"  published  by  Langford  in  1776. 
In  a  second  edition  he  marked  with  an  asterisk  the 
hymns  which  he  had  himself  composed,  and  this  hymn 
is  not  so  marked.  It  is  to  be  found,  too,  in  earlier 
collections  —  in  the  Appendix  to  Madan's  "Selection" 
(1763),  and  in  "A  Collection  of  Hymns,  by  John  Ed- 
wards, Minister  of  the  Gospel,  Leeds,  York.  Second 
Edition,  1769."  As  a  writer  of  hymns,  however, 
Langford  has  a  place  in  this  volume. 

Concerning  John  Langford,  but  little  is  now  known. 
He  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Blocks- 
fields,  Southwark,  in  1775.  There  he  remained  twelve 
years,  and  then  removed  to  Rose  Lane,  Ratcliff,  and 
subsequently  to  Bunhill  Row.  He  preached  a  sermon 
on  the  death  of  Whitefield.  His  story  seems  to  have 
been  a  sad  one.  It  is  said  that  through  an  act  of  im- 
prudence he  was  compelled  to  retire  from  the  minis- 
try, and  that  having  inherited  a  fortune  from  a  rela- 
tive, he  squandered  it  in  extravagance,  and  ended  his 
days  in  beggary. 


86  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOHN  DRACUP. 

1795. 


Miller  ("Singers  and  Songs  of  the  Church,"  p.  279) 
says:  "Rev.  John  Dracup  was  for  seventeen  years 
pastor  of  a  Congregational  church  at  Steep  Lane, 
Yorkshire.  He  afterward  continued  his  ministry  at 
Rodhillena,  near  Todmorden,  and  at  Rochdale.  In 
1784,  having  become  a  Baptist,  he  returned  to  his 
first  congregation  at  Steep  Lane,  and  presided  over 
them  for  eleven  years,  till  his  death.  May  28,  1795." 
That  an  English  Baptist  minister  should  become  pas- 
tor of  a  Congregational  church  is  not  a  thing  unknown 
in  English  ecclesiastical  history,  so  that  there  is  noth- 
ing in  the  fact  above  stated  that  leads  us  to  question 
what  Mr.  Miller  says.  But  Rippon,  in  his  "Register," 
Vol.  3,  p.  40,  puts  Steep  Lane  in  his  list  of  "Baptist 
Churches  in  England,"  and  in  a  note,  referring  to  the 
church  at  Steep  Lane,  he  says:  "In  our  list  of  1794, 
the  name  of  Mr.  John  Dracup  stood  as  pastor  here. 
This  aoced  and  much  esteemed  servant  of  Christ  fin- 
ished  his  course  with  honor  and  tranquility  in  the  lat- 
ter end  of  May,  1795.  And  on  the  day  his  funeral 
[sermon]  was  preached,  his  aged  widow  also  expired. 
They  had  lived  happily  together  for  a  long  course. 
After  his  death  Mr.  William  Wrathall,  formerly  at 
Wainsgate  [this  was  a  Baptist  church],  became  their 
pastor,  but  removed  from  them  to  Bolton-le-Moor  [also 
a  Baptist  church],  in  Lancashire,  about  the  close  of 
August,  1798.  They  are  now  supplied  by  a  young 
man  of  Mr.  Fawcett's  Academy,"  unquestionably  a 
Baptist.  As  Rippon  prepared  this  note  in  1798,  there 
can  -  be  little  doubt,  it  would  seem,  but  that  Miller  is 
mistaken. 

Dracup  published  in  1787  his  "Hymns  and  Spirit- 
ual Songs,"  some  of  which  had  previously  appeared  in 
Lady  Huntingdon's  "Select  Collection."     One  of  these 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  87 

hymns,  somewhat  altered,  is  to  be  found  in  "The 
Hymn  Book"  edited  by  Rev.  Andrew  Reed,  d.d.,  1841, 
19th  Ed.,  1868: 

Thanks  to  thy  name,  O  Lord,  that  we 
One  glorious  Sabbath  more  behold; 

Dear  Shepherd,  let  us  meet  with  thee 
Among  thy  sheep,  in  this  thy  fold. 

Now  Lord,  among  thy  tribes  appear, 
And  let  thy  presence  till  the  throng; 

Thy  awful  voice  let  sinners  hear, 
And  bid  the  feeble  heart  be  strong. 

Gather  the  lambs  into  thine  arms,, 

And  satisfy  their  every  want; 
Those  that  are  weak  defend  from  harm, 

And  gently  lead  them,  lest  they  faint. 

Put  forth  thy  shepherd's  crook,  and  stay 
Thy  erring  sheep,  and  bring  them  back; 

O  bring  the  wandering  home  today, 
And  save  them  for  thy  mercy's  sake. 

Dear  tender-hearted  Shepherd,  look. 

And  let  our  wants  thy  pity  move; 
And  kindly  lead  thy  little  flock 

To  the  sweet  pastures  of  thy  love. 

Another  hymn  by  Dracup,  commencing 

Free  grace  to  every  heaven-born  soul, 

was  inserted  by  Coughlan,  in  his  selection  in  1779. 


GEORGE  KEITH,  R.  KEENE. 


In  Rippon's  "Selection"  (1787)  first  appeared  the 
following  well  known  hymn,  afterward  somewhat 
abbreviated : 


88  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

How  firm  a  foundation,  ye  saints  of  the  Lord, 
Is  laid  for  your  faith  in  his  excellent  word; 
What  more  can  he  say  than  to  you  he  hath  said  ? 
You,  who  unto  Jesus  for  refuge  have  fled. 

In  every  condition,  in  sickness,  in  health, 

In  poverty's  vale,  or  abounding  in  wealth; 

At  home  and  abroad,  on  the  land,  on  the  sea, 

"  As  thy  days  may  demand,  shall  thy  strength  ever  be. 

"  Fear  not,  I  am  with  thee,  0  be  not  dismayed, 

I,  I  am  thy  God,  and  will  still  give  thee  aid; 

I  '11  strengthen  thee,  help  thee,  and  cause  thee  to  stand, 

Upheld  by  my  righteous,  omnipotent  hand. 

"  When  thro'  the  deep  waters  I  call  thee  to  go. 
The  rivers  of  woe  shall  not  th°e  overfloAv; 
For  I  will  be  with  thee,  thy  troubles  to  bless, 
And  sanctify  to  thee  thy  deepest  distress. 

"  When  thro'  fiery  trials  thy  pathway  shall  lie, 
My  grace  all  sufficient  shall  be  thy  supply; 
The  flame  shall  not  hurt  thee,  I  only  design 
Thy  dross  to  consume,  and  thy  gold  to  refine. 

"  Even  down  to  old  age,  all  my  people  shall  prove 
My  sovereign,  eternal,  unchangeable  love; 
And  when  hoary  hairs  shall  their  temples  adorn. 
Like  lambs  they  shall  still  in  my  bosom  be  borne. 

"  The  soul  that  on  Jesus  hath  leaned  for  repose, 
I  will  not,  I  will  not,  desert  to  his  foes; 
That  soul,  though  all  hell  should  endeavor  to  shake, 
I'll  never  —  no  never — no  never  forsake." 

A  note  to  the  last  line  says,  "  Agreeable  to  Dr.  Dod- 
dridge's Translation  of  Heb.  xiii.  5." 

The  only  designation  of  authorship  attached  by  Dr. 
Rippon  to  this  hymn  is  the  letter  "K."  By  some  the 
hymn  has  been  ascribed  to  Thomas  Kirkham,  who 
published  a  volume  of  hymns  in  1788;  but  the  hymn 
is  not  in  this  collection.  By  others  it  has  been  as- 
cribed to  Caroline  Keene,  and  by  yet  others  to  Rev. 
William  Kingsbury.  According  to  the  late  D.  Sedg- 
wick, the  well  known  hymnologist,  it  was  written  by 


AND  THEIR  HYMKS.  89 

George  Keith,  a  London  book  publisher,  and  a  son-in- 
law  of  Dr.  Rippon,  who  is  said  to  have  been  a  writer 
of  hymns,  and  to  have  led  the  singing  in  Dr.  Rippon' s 
church  for  many  years.  Accordingly,  for  some  time 
and  in  many  collections,  this  hymn  has  been  ascribed 
to  George  Keith.  But  of  late  this  claim  has  been 
denied  by  prominent  hymnologists.  It  is  said  that 
according;  to  Wilson's  "Dissenting  Churches  of  Lon- 
don,"  George  Keith  died  in  1775.  Why  then  should 
Dr.  Rippon,  in  1787,  have  hesitated  to  affix  his  son-in- 
law's  name  to  this  hymn,  and  the  others  in  his  collec- 
tion marked  "K.,"  if  Keith  was  the  author?  But  is 
it  true  that  George  Keith,  the  publisher,  died  in  1775? 
I  have  a  volume  of  Fawcett's  '"Hymns,"  printed  by 
G.  Wright  &  Son,  Leeds,  York,  in  1782,  "and  sold  by 
G.  Keith,  Grace  Church  Street,"  London.  The  refer- 
ences to  George  Keith  in  Wilson's  volumes  are  to  per- 
sons who  evidently  cannot  be  identified  with  George 
Keith,  the  publisher,  in  Grace  Church  Street,  London. 
Rev.  H.  L.  Hastings,  editor  of  the  "Christian,"  Bos- 
ton, in  May,  1887,  made  the  following  suggestion  in 
his  paper:  "In  preparing  hymns  and  music  for  'Songs 
of  Pilgrimage,'  we  were  led  to  go  over  not  only  Dr. 
Rippon' s  hymn-book,  but  also  his  '  Tune  Book,'  edited 
by  Thomas  Walker,  who  for  a  time  led  the  singing  in 
Dr.  Rippon's  church.  We  noticed  that  over  the  hymn 
in  question  was  placed  the  name  of  a  tune  to  which  it 
was  to  be  sung,  which  was  '  Geard.'  On  looking  up 
that  tune  in  the  book,  we  found  it  was  composed  by 
R.  Keene.  There  beino;  but  two  tunes  of  that  metre 
in  the  entire  book,  the  thought  arose,  was  the  'K.'  of 
the  hymn  the  same  person  as  the  '  R.  Keene,'  to  whose 
tune  it  was  to  be  sung  ?  Examining  both  hymn  and 
tune  they  seemed  to  be  made  for  each  other,  and  the 
evidence  seemed  to  point  to  R.  Keene  as  the  author  of 
the  hymn;  and  we  accordingly  inserted  it  in  'Songs 
of  Pilgrimage,'  with  the  original  tune,  and  placed  un- 
der it  the  name  of  R.  Keene,  with  a  query  (?),  to  indi- 
cate uncertainty  as  to  its  origin. 


90  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"Visiting  London  near  the  close  of  1886,  we  called 
Upon  the  venerable  Charles  Gordelier,  and  asked  him 
who  wrote 

'  How  firm  a  foundation,  ye  saints  of  the  Lord  ?  ' 

He  gave  the  names  of  Kirkham,  Keith,  Keene,  but 
could  give  no  definite  reason  for  preferring  one  to 
another,  until  we  laid  the  facts  before  him.  Turning 
to  Keene's  tune,  ^Geard,'  which  he  had  copied  into  a 
book,  he  at  once  recognized  it  as  the  tune  to  which, 
fifty  years  before,  they  were  accustomed  to  sing  the 
hymn,  and  he  also  remembered  that  its  author,  R. 
Keene,  was  once  a  leader  of  the  singing  in  Dr.  Rip- 
pon's  church,  and  that  the  hymn  in  question  was  said 
to  have  been  written  by  a  precentor  in  Dr.  Rippon's 
church.  After  considerable  thought,  he  recalled  that 
half  a  century  before,  when  he  himself  led  the  sing- 
ing in  a  Baptist  church,  and  used  to  meet  with  the 
different  precentors  from  other  meetings,  he  had  heard 
the  authorship  of  that  hymn  attributed  to  Keene,  and 
he  finally  remembered  that  an  aged  woman,  named 
Edgehill,  a  member  of  Dr.  Rippon's  church,  and  the 
wife  of  a  bookseller  in  Brick  Lane,  had  told  him  that 
Keene  was  the  author  of  that  hymn." 

Mr.  Hastings  thinks  that  for  various  reasons  a  musi- 
cian and  choir-master  might  put  his  name  to  a  tune 
which  he  had  composed,  while  modesty,  or  other  con- 
siderations, might  cause  him  to  append  his  initial  only 
to  a  new  hymn.  While  there  is  force  in  Mr.  Hastings' 
suggestion  as  to  the  authorship  of  this  well  known 
hymn,  therefore,  the  mystery  is  not  wholly  removed. 
There  are  those  who  still  believe  that  "How  firm  a 
foundation,"  was  written  by  George  Keith.  Evi- 
dently it  was  written  by  a  Baptist,  and  has  a  place 
here. 

The  late  Rev.  S.  W.  Duffield,  in  his  notes  on  this 
hymn  in  "English  Hymns,"  says:  "One  peculiarity  is 
noticeable  in  the  last  line  of  the  closing  verse.  The 
very  singularly  repetitious  grouping  of  words  reminds 


AXD  THEIR  HYMNS.  91 

US  that  a  similar  style  of  expression  is  found  in  the 
passage  of  Scripture  (Heb.  xiii.  5),  upon  which  the 
hymn  is  in  some  measure  constructed.  There  are,  in 
the  Greek  text,  five  negatives  grouped  in  a  single  sen- 
tence. In  our  language,  the  rule  says:  'Two  nega- 
tives are  equivalent  to  an  affirmative.'  Not  so  here : 
each  adds  its  meaning  with  all  the  intensity  of  a  cu- 
mulative force.  'I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake 
thee,'  as  in  the  common  version,  is  strengthened  much 
in  the  New  Revision,  so  that  it  stands:  '1  will  in  no 
wise  fail  thee,  neither  will  I  in  any  wise  forsake  thee.'  " 
"Once  in  the  old  Oratory  at  evening  devotion,  in 
Princeton  Seminary,"  as  Dr.  C.  S.  Robinson  relates, 
''the  elder  Hodge,  then  venerable  with  years  and  pi- 
ety, paused  as  he  read  this  hymn,  preparatory  to  the 
singing,  and  in  the  depth  of  his  emotion  was  obliged 
to  close  his  delivery  of  the  final  lines  with  a  mere 
gesture  of  pathetic  and  adoring  wonder  at  the  match- 
less grace  of  God  in  Christ ;  and  his  hand  silently  beat 
time  to  the  rhythm  instead : 

I  '11  never —  no,  never — no,  never  forsake  I  " 

Rev.  James  Gallaher,  in  the  "Western  Sketch 
Book,"  in  an  account  of  a  visit  to  Gen.  Jackson  at 
the  Hermitage  in  September,  1843,  says:  "The  old 
hero  was  then  very  frail,  and  had  the  appearance  of 
extreme  old  age;  but  he  was  reposing  with  calm- 
ness and  confidence  on  the  promise  and  covenant  of 
God.  He  had  now  been  a  member  of  the  church  for 
several  years."  During  the  conversation  which  took 
place.  Gen.  Jackson  turned  to  Mr.  Gallaher,  and  re- 
marked: "There  is  a  beautiful  hymn  on  the  subject  of 
the  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises  of  God  to 
his  people.  It  was  a  favorite  hymn  with  my  dear 
wife  till  the  day  of  her  death.     It  commences  thus: 

'  How  firm  a  foundation,  ye  saints  of  the  Lord.' 

I  wish  you  would  sing  it  now."     So  the  Httle   com- 
pany sang  the  entire  hymn. 


92  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

The    other   two   hymns    in    Rippon's  "Selection/ 
signed  "K.,"  are 

In  songs  of  sublime  adoration  and  praise, 

and 

The  Bible  is  justly  esteemed. 


W.  AUGUSTUS  CLARKE. 


Gadsby  ("  Memoirs  of  the  Principal  Hymn  Writers 
and  Compilers  of  the  17th  and  18th  Centuries,"  p.  39) 
says  that  Mr.  Clarke  "  was  ordained  by  a  Greek  bishop, 
but  afterward  joined  the  Baptists,  and  became  pastor 
of  Redcross  Street  about  1773.  In  1780,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  part  he  took  with  the  mob  against  in- 
creasing the  liberties  of  the  Papists,  he  had  to  leave, 
when  he  opened  a  room  in  Bunhill  Row.  There  he 
remained  only  three  months  and  then  went  to  Ireland, 
and  from  Ireland  to  America.  He  returned  to  England 
about  1797,  and  went  to  Petticoat  Lane,  but  that  place 
being  taken  down,  he  again  went  to  Bunhill  Row,  in 
1801.     I  have  no  account  of  his  death." 

Mr.  Clarke  in  1788  published  "  a  Book  of  Hymns, 
with  Spiritual  Remarks  on  each  Hymn,  which  work," 
as  he  tells  us,  "under  the  sweet  operations  of  the 
Divine  Spirit,  was  made  a  blessing  to  many  precious 
souls  in  England,  Ireland  and  America."  In  1801,  he 
published  his  "  Hymns,  Doctrinal  and  Experimental, 
for  the  Free-Born  Citizens  of  Zion,  who  know  their 
Election  of  God,  and  glory  in  the  Evangelical  Truths 
comprised  in  the  Gospel  of  a  Finished  Salvation."     The 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  93 

collection,  which  was  dedicated  to  his  own  flock,  con- 
tained 261  hymns.     The  following  is  hymn  166  : 

Almighty  lover,  now  appear, 

And  make  thy  mercy  known; 
Subdue  our  unbelieving  fear. 

And  this  our  meeting  crown. 

Lord,  never  let  us  silent  be 

Respecting  things  divine; 
But  sweetly  love  and  talk  of  thee, 

And  feel  thy  glory  shine. 

O,  may  thy  love  and  reigning  grace, 

Be  our  delightful  theme, 
Till  we  behold  thy  lovely  face. 

Without  a  cloud  between. 

Let  orient  beams  upon  us  shine, 

Come,  set  our  hearts  on  tire; 
With  ardent  love  to  thy  dear  name. 

Lord,  grant  us  our  desire. 


SAMUEL  DEACON. 

1746-1816. 

The  son  of  a  General  Baptist  minister,  Samuel 
Deacon  was  born  at  Ratby,  February  6,  1746.  When 
fifteen  years  of  age  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  watch- 
maker, and  in  1771,  having  married,  he  engaged  in 
business  for  himself  at  Barton.  But  he  had  qualities, 
it  was  thought,  that  fitted  him  for  the  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  having  commenced  to  preach  in 
1777,  he  was  ordained  as  associate  pastor  with  his 
father  in  1779.  He  had  a  useful  ministry,  and  died 
March  2,  1816. 

He  was  the  author  of  several  prose  and  poetical 
works.     Among  the  former  was  his  "  Comprehensive 


94  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Account  of  the  General  Baptists,"  and  "  A  Father's 
Advice  to  a  Son."  In  verse  he  pubUshed  "  An 
Attempt  to  Answer  the  Important  Question  '  What 
must  I  do  to  be  Saved  ? ' "  Also  "  Prudens  and  Evang-el- 
icus,"  and  "  A  Cabinet  of  Jewels  for  the  Children  of 
God."  His  hymn  book  was  first  published  in  1785. 
The  second  edition,  which  appeared  in  1797,  entitled 
"  Barton  Hymns  "  had  an  appendix  containing  thirty- 
four  hymns  on  Baptism.     One  of  them, 

To  Jordan's  stream  the  Savior  goes, 

is  in  the  "  Selection  of  Hymns  for  the  use  of  Baptist 
Congregations "  (406).  Two  of  Deacon's  hynlns  are 
in  the  English  "  Baptist  Hymnal,"  viz : 

O  who  can  comprehend  the  rest  (582) 

and  the  following  (284): 

Ye  heavy-laden  souls, 

With  guilt  and  fear  opprest, 
Gomel  for  the  great  Redeemer  calls, 

And  calls  to  give  you  rest. 

However  great  your  load, 

Or  heavy  be  your  grief. 
Come  to  the  blessed  Son  of  God, 

And  you  shall  find  relief. 

Why  hesitate  and  doubt, 

Why  so  unwelcome  seem  ? 
When  did  he  shut  a  sinner  out 

That  ever  came  to  him  ? 

He  stands  with  open  arras 

Inviting  sinners  home; 
His  voice  contains  a  thousand  charms. 

And  every  charm  says,  "  Gomel  " 

Gome,  then,  without  delay. 

And  enter  into  rest; 
With  gratitude  his  voice  obey, 

And  be  forever  blestl 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  95 

RICHARD  BURNHAM. 

1749-1810. 

He  was  born  in  1749,  at  Guilford,  Surry.  His 
father,  Rev.  Richard  Burnham,  died  when  he  was 
three  years  of  age,  and  his  early  years  were  devoted 
to  pleasurable  pursuits.  At  length,  while  attending  a 
"Wesleyan  Chapel,  he  was  led  to  accept  Christ  as  his 
Savior,  and  he  commenced  at  once,  as  a  j)reacher,  to 
tell  "  the  old,  old  story."  Not  long  after,  he  adopted 
Baptist  views,  and  united  with  a  Particular  Baptist 
church  at  Reading.  Later,  having  removed  to  Staines, 
Middlesex,  on  the  Thames,  he  organized  a  Baptist 
church.  In  1780  he  went  to  London  to  obtain  funds 
for  his  church,  and  while  engaged  in  this  service  he 
was  invited  to  remove  to  the  metropolis,  and  establish 
a  new  interest  there.  He  consented,  and  a  church 
was  organized  at  Greenwalk,  Surry,  near  Blackfriar's 
Bridge,  and  to  this  church,  several  times  removed,  he 
continued  to  minister  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
October  30,  1810.  He  was  buried  in  Tottenham 
Court  Road  church  cemetery,  and  the  epitaph  on  his 
monument  describes  him  as  "  endowed  with  an  ardent 
zeal  for  the  Redeemer's  interest,  an  acute  penetration, 
and  vigor  of  mind  seldom  equaled.  .  .  .  His  ministry 
was  remarkably  owned  to  the  conversion  of  many," 

The  hymn  by  which  he  is  best  known  is  the 
following : 

Jesus  I  thou  art  the  sinner's  friend; 

As  such  I  look  to  thee; 
Now,  in  the  fulness  of  thy  love, 

O  Lord  I  remember  me. 

Eemember  thy  pure  word  of  grace,  — 

Remember  Calvary; 
Eemember  all  thy  dying  groans, 

And  then  remember  me. 


96  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Thou  wondrous  Advocate  with  God  I 

I  yield  myself  to  thee; 
While  thou  art  sitting  on  thy  throne, 

Dear  Lord  1  remember  me. 

Lord!  I  am  guilty,  —  I  am  vile, 

But  thy  salvation's  free; 
Then,  in  thine  all-abounding  grace, 

Dear  Lord!  remember  me. 

In  1783,  Burnham  published  "New  Hymns  on  Di- 
vine Subjects."  The  volume  contained  141  hymns, 
which  in  subsequent  editions  were  increased  to  452 
hymns.  The  above  hymn  appeared  in  the  first  edi- 
tion. As  now  printed,  it  is  in  an  amended  form.  In 
1796,  John  Asplund  published  in  Boston  an  American 
edition  of  these  "New  Hymns."  It  is  not  a  little 
strange  that  the  best  known  of  Burnham's  com- 
positions, 

Jesus,  thou  art  the  sinner's  friend, 

is  not  found  in  this  collection,  which  contains  320  of 
Burnham's  hymns.  In  his  preface  Mr.  Asplund  says: 
"Without  flattery,  I  think  they  are  the  best  hymns  I 
have  ever  seen,  or  been  acquainted  with,  and  there- 
fore venture  to  recommend  them  to  others." 


JOHN  NORMAN. 

1782. 

In  Dr.  Rlppon's  well  known  "  Selection"  is  a  hymn 
on  baptism,  beginning 

Thug  it  became  the  Prince  of  Grace, 
to    which    is   prefixed   the  name   "  Norman."      The 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  97 

author  was  almost  certainly  Rev.  John  Norman,  con- 
cerning whom  we  are  told  in  Rippon's  "Annual  Reg- 
ister" for  1791,  that  he  was  originally  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  at  WelHngton,  Somerset,  and  studied 
at  the  Baptist  College  at  Bristol.  He  began  his  min- 
istry in  1777,  as  assistant  to  Rev.  D.  Turner,  of  Abing- 
don, and  then  for  a  short  time  ministered  in  the  same 
capacity  with  Rev.  PhiUp  Gibbs,  of  Plymouth.  In 
this  place  he  died  in  the  spring  of  1782.  Nothing 
further  concerning  him  is  known.  His  hymn,  which 
often  appears  with  the  first  verse  omitted,  is  as  follows : 

Thus  it  became  the  Prince  of  Grace, 
And  thus  should  all  the  favored  race 

High  heaven's  behests  fulfil; 
"For  that  the  condescending  God 
Should  lead  his  followers  through  the  floe  ~ . 

Was  heaven's  eternal  will. 

'T  is  not  as  led  by  custom's  voice 

We  make  their  ways  our  favored  choice, 

And  this  with  zeal  pursue; 
No!  heaven's  eternal  sovereign  Lord 
Has,  in  the  precepts  of  his  word, 

Enjoined  us  thus  to  do. 

And  shall  we  ever  dare  despise 
The  gracious  mandate  of  the  skies, 

Where  condescending  heaven, 
To  sinful  man's  apostate  race, 
In  matchless  love,  and  boundless  grace, 

His  will  revealed  has  given? 

Thou  everlasting,  gracious  King, 
Assist  us  now  thy  grace  to  sing. 

And  still  direct  our  way, 
To  those  bright  realms  of  peace  and  rest 
Where  all  the  exulting  tribes  are  blest 

With  one  great  choral  day. 


98  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOHN  RIPPON. 

1751-1836. 

Dr.  John  Rippon  was  the  compiler  of  Rippon's  "  Se- 
lection of  Hymns,"  and  was  born  in  Tiverton,  Devon- 
shire, April  29,  1751.  When  sixteen  years  of  age  he 
was  converted,  and  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in 
Tiverton.  In  the  following  year,  with  a  purpose  to 
enter  upon  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry,  he 
entered  the  Baptist  College  at  Bristol,  where  he  had 
as  instructors  Rev.  Hugh  Evans  and  his  son  Rev. 
Caleb  Evans.  In  1772,  on  the  completion  of  his 
studies  at  Bristol,  he  was  invited  to  preach  in  the 
pulpit  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Carter  Lane,  Tooley 
Street,  London,  which  had  been  made  vacant  by  the 
death  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  John  Gill  in  the  autumn 
of  the  preceding  year.  The  result  was  that  he 
received  a  call  to  the  pastorate,  and  he  was  ordained 
pastor  of  the  church  November  11,  1773.  The  church 
had  been  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Dr.  Gill  fifty- four 
years,  and  Dr.  Rippon  retained  the  pastorate  until  his 
death,  December  17,  1836,  a  period  of  sixty-three 
years.  He  had  not  the  learning  of  his  predecessor, 
but  he  possessed  popular  gifts  of  a  high  order,  and  his 
ministry  was  eminently  a  successful  one.  At  the  time 
of  the  erection  of  the  present  London  Bridge,  com- 
pelled to  seek  a  new  location,  the  church  erected  a 
house  of  worship  in  New  Park  Street.  It  was  to  this 
church  of  Gill  and  Rippon  that  Mr.  Spurgeon  was 
called  when  he  began  his  work  in  London. 

The  first  edition  of  Rippon's  "Selection"  appeared 
in  1787.  It  was  entitled  "A  Selection  of  Hymns 
from  the  Best  Authors,  intended  to  be  an  appendix  to 
Dr.  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns."  Of  this  collection 
of  hymns,  more  than  thirty  editions  were  published  in 
England,  and  many  in  this  country.  Dr.  Rippon  was 
a  great  admirer  of  Dr.  Watts,  and  in  1798,  "  in  con- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  99 

sequence  of  the  numerous  errors  which  have  crept  into 
almost  all  the  late  editions  of  Dr.  Watts'  Psalms  and 
Hymns,"  Dr.  Rippon  published  an  improved  edition  of 
Dr.  Watts'  productions.  "An  Arrangement  of  the 
PsalmSj  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs  of  the  Rev.  Isaac 
Watts,  D.D.,"  followed  in  1801,  in  which  the  division 
into  first,  second  and  third  books  disappeared,  and  the 
contents  were  disposed  according  to  subjects,  as  in  his 
own  "  Selection."  In  the  announcement  it  was  stated 
that  the  profits  of  this  "  arranged  edition  "  would  be 
"  applied  to  the  encouragement  of  village  preaching, 
among  the  different  denominations  of  Christians,  to 
assist  ministers  of  a  small  income,  and  to  other  benev- 
olent purposes."  Dr.  Hatfield  ("'Poets  of  the  Church," 
p.  509)  says.  "  It  is  probably  the  most  accurate  edition 
of  Dr.  Watts'  book  ever  published."  When  Rev. 
James  M.  Winchell  prepared  his  "  Arrangement  of  the 
Psalms,  Hymn%s  and  Spiritual  Songs  of  the  Rev.  Isaac 
Watts,  D.D.,"  —  a  work  used  in  Baptist  churches  in  this 
country  very  extensively  before  the  publication  of  the 
"Psalmist,"  —  he  acknowledged  his  indebtedness  to 
Dr.  Rippon's  earlier  work.  In  1810,  Dr.  Rippon  pub- 
lished "  An  Index  of  all  the  Lines  in  Watts'  Hymns 
and  Psalms." 

Of  Dr.  Rippon's  other  works  mention  should  be 
made  of  his  edition  of  Dr.  John  Gill's  "  Exposition  of 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments,"  with  a  memoir  prefixed, 
and  also  of  his  "Baptist  Annual  Register,"  from  1790 
to  1802. 

Dr.  Rippon  contributed  several  hymns  to  his  own 
"  Selections,"  but  as  they  are  undesignated,  it  is  diffi- 
cult of  course  now  to  distinguish  them.  In  the 
"  Calvary  Selection  of  Spiritual  Songs,"  the  hymn 
commencing 

As  when  in  silence  vernal  showers, 

is  ascribed  to  Rippon.  In  the  "  Selection,"  this  hymn 
commences 

As  showers  on  meadows  newly  mown, 


100  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

and  the  hymn  has  six  stanzas.  In  his  "  Memoirs  of 
Hymn  Writers  and  Compilers,"  Mr.  John  Gadsby,  refer- 
ring to  Dr.  Rippon,  says,  "  I  think  the  hymn 

Here,  Lord,  my  soul  convicted  stands, 

was  his  own,  as  I  cannot  find  it  in  any  book  earlier 
than  his  ^  Selection.'  "     The. hymn  is  as  follows : 

Here,  Lord,  my  soul  convicted  stands 
Of    breaking  all  thy  ten  commands; 
And  on  me  justly  might  'st  thou  pour 
Thy  wrath  in  one  eternal  shower. 

But,  thanks  to  God!  its  loud  alarms 
Have  warned  me  of  approaching  harms ; 
And  now,  O  Lord!  my  wants  I  see; 
Lost  and  undone,  I  come  to  thee. 

I  see,  my  fig-leaf  righteousness 
Can  ne'er  thy  broken  law  redress;    • 
Yet  in  thy  gospel  plan  I  see 
There  's  hope  of  pardon  e'en  for  me. 

Here  I  behold  thy  wonders,  Lord! 
How  Christ  hath  to  thy  law  restored 
Those  honors,  on  th'  atoning  day, 
Which  guilty  sinners  took  away. 

Amazing  wisdom,  power  and  love, 
Displayed  to  rebels  from  above! 
Do  thou,  O  Lord!  my  faith  increase 
To  love  and  trust  thy  plan  of  grace. 


JOHN  ADAMS. 

1751-1835. 

John  Adams  was  a  native  of  Northampton,  where 
he  was  born  in  1751.  In  early  life  he  was  appren- 
ticed to  an  ironmonger.     When  eighteen  years  of  age 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  101 

he  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Northampton,  of 
which  Rev.  John  Collett  Rjland  was  pastor.  In  mid- 
dle hfe,  on  account  of  a  change  of  views,  he  was  ex- 
cluded from  the  church.  Later,  having  retired  from 
business,  he  removed  to  London,  and  subsequently  to 
Olney  and  Newton  Blossom ville.  Subsequently  he 
returned  to  Northampton,  where  he  died  May  15, 
1835. 

His  first  hymns  were  published  in  the  "  Gospel  Mag- 
azine" in  1776.     One  of  his  hymns,  commencing 

Jesus  is  our  great  salvation, 

is  ascribed  in  the  "Service  of  Song"  to  "S.  P.  R., 
1777."  It  was  written,  however,  by  John  Adams.  As 
found  in  Rippon's  "Selection"  (108)  it  is  as  follows: 

Jesus  is  our  great  salvation, 

Worthy  of  our  best  esteem! 
He  has  saved  his  favorite  nation; 

Join  to  sing  aloud  to  him; 
He  has  saved  us, 

Christ  alone  could  us  redeem. 

"When  involv'd  in  sin  and  ruin 

And  no  helper  there  was  found, 
Jesus  our  distress  was  viewing, 

Grace  did  more  than  sin  abound; 
He  has  called  us. 

With  salvation  in  the  sound. 

Save  us  from  a  mere  profession  I 

Save  us  from  hypocrisy; 
Give  us.  Lord,  the  sweet  possession 

Of  thy  righteousness  and  thee; 
Best  of  favors! 

None  compared  with  this  can  be. 

Let  us  never,  Lord,  forget  thee; 

Make  us  walk  as  pilgrims  here; 
"VVe  will  give  thee  all  the  glory 

Of  the  love  that  brought  us  near; 
Bid  us  praise  thee. 

And  rejoice  with  holy  fear. 


102  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Free  election,  known  by  calling, 

Is  a  privilege  divine; 
Saints  are  kept  from  final  falling, 

All  the  glory.  Lord,  be  thine; 
All  the  glory. 

All  the  glory,  Lord,  be  thine. 

Other  hymns  by  Mr.  Adams  have  appeared  in  vari- 
ous selections,  and  he  left  many  hymns  which  have 
never  been  published. 


JOHN  RYLAND,  D.D. 

1753-1825. 

Early  in  Benjamin  Beddome's  ministry  at  Bourton- 
on-the-Water,  occurred  the  conversion  of  a  farmer's 
son,  a  young  man  of  eighteen,  John  Collett  Ryland. 
Young  Ryland  studied  at  Bristol,  then  entered  the 
Christian  ministry,  and  after  a  pastorate  of  thirteen 
years  at  Warwick,  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Northampton,  where  he  labored  with  great 
success  twenty-seven  years.  His  son,  John  Ryland, 
was  born  January  29,  1753,  during  the  Warwick  pas- 
torate. John  Collett  Ryland  was  a  good  scholar,  and 
like  many  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  he  sup- 
ported himself  in  part  by  receiving  into  his  family  a 
number  of  students.  He  was  also  the  tutor  of  his  son. 
In  August,  1764,  he  thus  writes  concerning  him: 
"John  is  now  eleven  years  and  seven  months  old.  He 
has  read  Genesis  in  Hebrew  five  times  through;  he 
read  through  the  Greek  New  Testament  before  nine 
years  old.  He  can  read  Horace  and  Virgil.  He  has 
read  through  Telemachus  in  French.  He  has  read 
through  Pope's  Homer,  in  eleven  volumes ;  read  Dry- 
den's  Virgil  in  three  volumes.     He  has  read  Rollins' 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  103 

Ancient  History,  ten  volumes  octavo,  and  he    knows 
the  Pagan  mythology  surprisingly." 

September  11, 1767,  the  elder  Ryland  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  baptizing  his  son.  The  latter  seems  to  have 
had  his  thoughts  early  directed  to  the  work  of  the 
Christian  ministry,  and  he  commenced  preparatory 
studies  under  the  direction  of  his  father.  He  preached 
his  first  sermon  on  Sunday,  January  27,  1771,  two 
days  before  he  completed  his  eighteenth  year.  For 
ten  years  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  family  school  he 
had  established  on  coming  to  Northampton,  and 
preached  each  Sabbath,  either  in  Northampton  or  in 
some  one  of  the  surrounding  villages.  June  8,  1781, 
he  was  ordained,  and  became  his  father's  assistant  in 
the  pastorate  of  the  Northampton  church.  When  his 
father  removed  to  Enfield,  near  London,  November  11, 
1785,  John  Ryland  became  sole  pastor  of  the  church. 
His  ministry  at  Northampton  was  greatly  blessed.  In 
company  with  Carey,  Andrew  Fuller  and  others,  he 
aided  in  the  organization  of  the  Baptist  Missionary 
Society,  at  Kettering,  October  2,  1792.  His  is  the 
first  name  appended  to  the  resolutions  adopted  that 
day,  and  he  was  one  of  those  whose  subscriptions  for 
the  work  then  commenced  amounted  to  £13  2s.  6d. 

In  April,  1792,  Mr.  Ryland  received  an  invitation 
to  the  pastorate  of  the  Broadmead  Baptist  church, 
Bristol,  and  also  to  the  presidency  of  the  Baptist  col- 
lege there,  as  the  successor  to  Dr.  Caleb  Evans.  It 
seems  to  have  been  difficult  for  him  to  break  the  ties 
that  bound  him  to  Northampton,  for  it  was  not  till 
1794,  that  he  accepted  the  call  to  Bristol,  and  removed 
to  that  place.  Here  he  did  a  work  honorable  to 
himself  and  most  useful  to  his  brethren.  His  influ- 
ence was  widely  felt.  In  addition  to  his  other  labors 
he  was  appointed  secretary  of  the  Baptist  Missionary 
Society  on  the  death  of  Andrew  Fuller,  and  he  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  this  office  several  years.  He 
died   May   25,  1825,    after   uttering   the  words,  "No 


104  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

more  pain."  His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  the 
celebrated  Robert  Hall. 

In  a  tribute  to  his  memory  John  Foster  says:  "He 
excelled  very  many  deservedly  esteemed  preachers  in 
variety  of  topics  and  ideas.  To  the  end  of  his  life  he 
was  a  great  reader,  and  very  far  from  being  confined 
to  one  order  of  subjects,  and  he  would  freely  avail 
himself  of  these  resources  for  diversifying  and  illus- 
trating the  subjects  of  his  sermons.  The  readers  of 
the  printed  sketches  of  his  sermons,  who  never  heard 
him,  can  have  no  adequate  idea  of  the  spirit,  force  and 
compulsion  on  the  hearer's  attention,  with  which  the 
sermons  were  delivered." 

In  1792,  Mr.  Ryland  received  the  honorary  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  Brown  University.  Of 
his  pubhshed  works,  which  for  the  most  part  consist 
of  occasional  discourses,  mention  should  be  made  of 
his  "Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  R.  Hall,  of  Arnsby,"  "A 
Candid  Statement  of  the  Reasons  which  induce  the 
Baptists  to  Differ  in  Opinion  and  Practice  from  so 
many  of  their  Christian  Brethren,"  and  "The  Work 
of  Faith,  the  Labor  of  Love,  and  the  Patience  of  Hope 
Illustrated  in  the  Life  and  Death  of  the  Rev.  Andrew 
Fuller,  of  Kettering." 

The  late  Mr.  Daniel  Sedgwick  prepared  a  reprint  of 
Dr.  Ryland's  hymns,  ninety-nine  in  number.  They 
were  composed  at  different  periods  of  his  life,  from  his 
twentieth  year  to  his  death.  One  of  his  most  familiar 
hymns  was  written  December  30,  1773,  and  appeared 
in  the  "Gospel  Magazine"  for  May,  1775.  As  first 
printed,  it  contained  nine  stanzas,  commencing, 

"When  Abram's  servant  to  procure 

A  wife  for  Isaac  went, 
Rebecca  met,  his  suit  preferred, 

Her  parents  gave  consent. 

In  Rippon's  "Selection,"  first  edition,  this  note  was 
appended  to  the  hymn :  "  This  hymn  may  begin  at  the 
sixth  verse."     This  verse  is  as  follows: 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  105 

In  all  my  Lord's  appointed  ways 

My  journey  I '11  pursue; 
Hinder  me  not,  ye  much-loved  saints, 

For  I  must  go  with  you. 

With  this  verse  the  hymn  begins  in  modern  collec- 
tions ("Psalmist,"  812,  "Service  of  Song,"  742,  "Cal- 
vary Selection  of  Spiritual  Songs,"  816,  and  "Baptist 
Hymnal,"  53).  The  following  story  is  told  of  this 
hymn:  "Several  stage  coaches  daily  passed  through 
the  town  [Northampton];  and  as  the  good  pastor 
lived  at  no  great  distance  from  the  inn  where  they 
exchanged  horses,  he  continued  to  meet  every  evan- 
gelical minister  who  passed  through  the  town,  and 
not  unfrequently  almost  compelled  them  to  stay  a  day 
on  the  road,  that  they  might  give  his  people  a  ser- 
mon in  the  evening.  On  one  occasion  he  had  thus 
treated  a  brother  in  the  ministry,  who  most  reluc- 
tantly yielded,  and  appeared  in  the  pulpit  with  the 
text,  'Hinder  me  not';  Gen.  xxiv.  56.  Dr.  Ryland, 
as  is  still  customary  in  England,  sat  in  the  desk  below 
the  pulpit  to  read  the  h3/Tiins;  and  as  his  brother  pro- 
ceeded, every  'head  of  discourse'  was  'turned  into 
poetry,'  which  at  the  end  of  the  sermon  was  duly 
read,  and  a  portion  of  it  sung."  At  the  time  this 
hymn  was  composed  Ryland  had  preached  more  or  less 
for  two  years;  but  he  was  not  made  his  father's  assist- 
ant until  eight  years  after,  and,  as  Dr.  Hatfield  sug- 
gests, the  story  is  evidently  an  apocryphal  one. 
One  of  Dr.  Ryland's  hymns,  commencing 

Lord,  teach  a  little  child  to  pray, 

was  written  for  the  dying  daughter  of  Rev.  Andrew 
Fuller,  at  her  father's  request,  and  mingled  with  her 
prayers  was  often  repeated  by  her  in  her  last  hours. 

Of  the  following  hymn.  Dr.  Ryland,  on  the  original 
manuscript,  wrote:  "I  recollect  deeper  feelings  of 
mind  in  composing  this  hymn  than  perhaps  I  ever  felt 
in  making  any  other:" 


106  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

0  Lord,  I  would  delight  in  thee, 
And  on  thy  care  depend; 

To  thee  in  every  trouble  fiee, 
My  best,  my  only  friend. 

"When  all  created  streams  are  dried, 

Thy  fulness  is  the  same; 
May  I  with  this  be  satisfied, 

And  glory  in  thy  name. 

Why  should  the  soul  a  drop  bemoan, 

Who  has  a  fountain  near, 
A  fountain  which  will  ever  run 

With  waters  sweet  and  clear  ? 

!No  good  in  creatures  can  be  found, 
But  may  be  found  in  thee; 

1  must  have  all  things,  and  abound, 
While  God  is  God  to  me. 

Oh,  that  I  had  a  stronger  faith, 

To  look  within  the  veil, 
To  credit  what  my  Savior  saith. 

Whose  words  can  never  fail ! 

He  that  has  made  my  heaven  secure, 

Will  here  all  good  provide ; 
While  Christ  is  rich,  can  I  be  poor  ? 

What  can  I  want  beside  ? 

O  Lord,  I  cast  my  care  on  thee; 

I  triumph  and  adore ; 
Henceforth  my  great  concern  shall  be 

To  love  and  please  thee  more. 

This  hymn  was  written  December  3,  1777.  The 
third,  fourth,  and  fifth  stanzas  are  omitted  in  most  col- 
lections. Another  hymn  by  Dr.  Ryland  will  long  have 
a  place  in  our  hymn  books.  It  was  written  August  1, 
1777,  and  commences, 

Sovereign  Huler  of  the  skies, 
Ever  gracious,  ever  wise. 
All  my  times  are  in  thy  hand, 
All  events  at  thy  command. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  107 

JOHN  DEACON. 

1757-1821. 

About  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  there  lived  at 
Ratbj,  in  Leicestershire,  not  far  from  Charnwood 
Forest,  an  agricultural  laborer,  whose  name  was 
Samuel  Deacon.  He  was  converted  to  God  through 
the  instrumentahty  of  one  of  Lady  Huntingdon's  itin- 
erating preachers.  He  became  pastor  of  a  church  at 
Barton,  near  Market  Bosworth,  which  was  the  mother 
of  nearly  all  the  General  Baptist  churches  in  the  mid- 
land counties  of  England.  This  Samuel  Deacon, 
sometimes  called  the  elder,  had  two  sons,  Samuel  and 
John,  half  brothers,  who  both  became  preachers  and 
hymn  writers.  Of  Samuel  an  account  has  already 
been  given. 

John  Deacon  was  born  1757,  in  what  month  is 
unknown.  He  joined  the  church  at  Barton  in  early 
life,  and  was  taught  the  business  of  clock  and  watch 
making;  but  developing  gifts  for  the  ministry,  he  was 
sent  to  London  to  study  under  Dan  Taylor,  the  most 
learned  minister  at  that  time  among  the  General  Bap- 
tists. At  the  completion  of  his  studies,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Friar  Lane,  Leicester,  a  post 
which  he  occupied,  with  one  brief,  unhappy  interval, 
very  usefully,  until  his  death,  March  10,  1821.  Dur- 
ing his  last  illness  he  was  frequently  visited  by  the 
celebrated  Robert  Hall,  then  minister  in  Leicester,  and 
was  much  refreshed  by  his    conversation  and  prayers. 

In  1800,  Mr.  Deacon  compiled  and  published  a 
hymn  book,  which,  with  some  additions  and  alterations, 
was  extensively  used  in  the  General  Baptist  churches 
until  1851.  In  the  editions  which  appeared  subse- 
quently to  1804,  eleven  of  his  own  hymns  were 
included,  all  intended  for  use  at  Sunday-school  anni- 
versaries. He  left  in  manuscript  about  thirty  others, 
which  had  been  sung  at  his   own  chapel  on   special 


108  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

occasions.  None  of  his  hymns,  however,  have  been 
introduced  into  other  collections.  The  following  is 
founded  on  Psalm  viii.  12  : 

Eternal  Sovereign  of  the  skies, 

How  wondrous  is  thy  name; 
Through  earth  and  heaven  thy  glories  rise, 

And  spread  thy  matchless  fame. 

The  sons  of  Adam,  old  and  young, 

Shall  own  thy  boundless  sway; 
And  babes,  with  feeble,  artless  tongue, 

Their  cheerful  tribute  pay. 

Children  shall  in  thy  temple  crowd, 

And  shout  with  loud  accord, 
Hail,  Son  of  David,  Son  of  God! 

Hosanna  to  the  Lord! 


ALICE  FLOWERDEW. 

1759-1830. 

Mrs.  Alice  (not  Anne,  as  in  some  collections)  Flow- 
erdew,  was  a  native  of  England,  but  nothing  is  known 
concerning  her  birthplace  or  early  life.  Her  husband, 
Daniel  Flowerdew,  held  a  government  position  in 
Jamaica  a  few  years,  and  late  in  the  last  century 
returned  to  England  with  his  wife,  where  he  died  in 
1801.  Mrs.  Flowerdew  then  established  a  boarding- 
school  for  young  ladies  at  Islington,  near  London. 
Her  "Poems  on  Moral  and  Religious  Subjects" 
appeared  in  1803,  third  edition  in  1811.  In  the 
preface  to  the  first  edition  she  says  that  these  poems 
were  "written  at  different  periods  of  life  —  some 
indeed  at  a  very  early  age,  and  others  under  the  very 
severe  pressure  of  misfortunes,  when  my  pen  had 
frequently    given   that    relief,   which   could   not    be 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  109 

derived  from  other  employments."  She  attended  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  John  Evans,  d.d.,  pastor  of  the 
General  Baptist  church  in  Worship  Street,  and  is  said 
to  have  shared  his  Arian  views.  From  Islington,  in 
1814,  she  removed  her  boarding-school  to  Bury  Street, 
Edmunds,  and  subsequently  to  Ipswich,  where  she 
died.  She  was  buried  at  Whitton,  a  few  miles  from 
Ipswich,  The  following  is  the  inscription  upon  her 
tomb :  "  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Alice  Flower- 
dew,  who  died  September  23,  1830,  aged  71  years." 

The  hymn  by  which  she  is  best  known,  and  which 
is  still  found  in  many  collections,  is  the  following 
harvest  hymn,  sometimes  erroneously  ascribed  to  John 
Needham : 

Fountain  of  mercy!  God  of  love  I 

How  rich  thy  bounties  are! 
The  rolling  seasons,  as  they  move, 

Proclaim  thy  constant  care. 

"When  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth 

The  sower  hid  the  grain, 
Thy  goodness  marked  its  secret  birth, 

And  sent  the  early  rain. 

The  Spring's  sweet  influence  was  thine, 

The  plants  in  beauty  grew; 
Thou  gav'st  refulgent  suns  to  shine, 

And  mild  refreshing  dew. 

These  various  mercies  from  above 

Mature  the  swelling  grain; 
A  yellow  harvest  crowns  thy  love. 

And  plenty  fills  the  plain. 

Seed  time  and  harvest.  Lord,  alone 

Thou  dost  on  man  bestow; 
Let  him  not  then  forget  to  own 

From  whom  his  blessings  flow! 

Fountain  of  love!  our  praise  is  thine; 

To  thee  our  songs  we'll  raise, 
And  all  created  Nature  join 

In  sweet  harmonious  praise. 


110  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JAMES  UPTON. 

1760-1834. 

James  Upton  was  born  at  Tunbridge  Wells,  Septem- 
ber 15,  1760.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  removed  to 
Waltham  Abbey,  Essex,  where  he  soon  came  under 
religious  influences,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  that  place.  Among 
the  helps  to  a  Christian  life  which  were  blessed  to  him 
he  makes  especial  mention  of  Watts'  "  Psalms  and 
Hymns."  He  seems  early  to  have  devoted  himself  to 
the  Avork  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  February  20, 
1785,  he  preached  his  first  sermon  at  Waltham  Abbey, 
from  1.  Cor.  xv.  10.  June  27,  1786,  he  was  ordained 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Greenwalk,  afterward 
Church  Street,  Blackfriars,  London.  The  membership 
of  the  church  at  that  time  was  only  twelve,  and  the 
congregation  very  small,  but  the  work  of  the  new 
pastor  Avas  greatly  blessed,  and  in  1800,  the  member- 
ship of  the  church  had  increased  to  about  two  hundred 
and  ninety,  and  made  the  work  of  enlarging  the  meet- 
ing-house a  necessity,  there  not  being  room  for  the 
members  comfortably  to  sit  down  at  the  Lord's  table. 
Mr.  Upton,  greatly  beloved  and  honored,  remained 
pastor  of  the  church  until  his  death,  September  22, 
1834,  a  period  of  forty-eight  y«ars. 

In  1798,  he  published  "A  Serious  Address  on  Certain 
Important  Points  of  Evangelical  Doctrine  and  of 
Christian  Duty,"  and  in  1814,  ''A  Collection  of  Hymns, 
designed  as  a  New  Supplement  to  Dr.  Watts'  Psalms 
and  Hymns,"  consisting  of  422  selections  from  various 
authors,  including  some  originals.  One  of  these  (277), 
generally  attributed  to  him,  is  the  following : 

Come,  ye  who  bow  to  sovereign  grace, 

Record  your  Savior's  love; 
Join  in  a  song  of  grateful  praise 

To  him  who  rules  above. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  Ill 

Once  in  the  gloomy  grave  he  lay, 

But  by  his  rising  power, 
He  bore  the  gates  of  death  away ; 

Hail,  mighty  Conqueror! 

Here  we  declare  in  emblem  plain, 

Our  burial  in  his  gravc;; 
And  since  in  him  we  rose  again, 

We  rise  from  out  the  wave. 


JONATHAN  FRANKLIN. 

1760-1833. 

Rev.  Jonathan  Franklin  was  born  November  10, 
1760.  His  first  settlement  as  pastor  was  at  Croydon, 
where  he  served  the  Baptist  church  until  1808,  when 
he  removed  to  London,  and  became  pastor  of  the  Red- 
Cross-Street  Chapel.  Here  he  remained  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  May  3,  1833.  Mr.  Franklin 
was  the  author  of  a  large  number  'of  hymns  (he  pub- 
lished "Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs"  in  1801),  of 
which  the  best  known  is  the  following: 

In  mounts  of  danger  and  of  straits, 

My  soul  for  his  salvation  waits; 
Jehovah-jireh  will  appear, 
And  save  me  from  my  gloomy  fear. 

He  in  the  most  distressing  hour. 

Displays  the  greatness  of  his  power; 
In  darkest  nights  he  makes  a  way. 
And  turns  the  gloomy  shade  to  day. 

Jehovah-jireh  is  his  name ; 

From  age  to  age  he  proves  the  same; 

He  sees  when  I  am  sunk  in  grief, 

And  quickly  flies  to  my  relief. 


112^  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

The  Lord  Jehovah  is  my  guide ; 

He  does  and  will  for  me  provide; 

And  in  the  mount  it  shall  be  seen 
How  kind  and  gracious  he  has  been. 


JOSEPH  SWAIN. 

1761-1796. 

Rev.  Joseph  Swain  was  born  in  Birmingham  in 
1761.  Left  an  orphan  in  early  Hfe,  he  was  appren- 
ticed to  an  engraver  in  London,  where  he  was  sub- 
jected to  evil  influences  by  worldly  associates.  Seri- 
ous thoughts,  however,  at  length  took  hold  of  his 
mind,  and  having  bought  a  Bible,  he  was  led  by  read- 
ing the  Scriptures  to  choose  the  better  part.  Finding 
a  new  joy  in  Christian  song,  he  began  to  write  hymns 
in  order  to  give  expression  to  his  own  devout  senti- 
ments. May  11,  1783,  he  was  baptized  by  Dr.  John 
Rippon,  and  having  become  a  member  of  Dr.  Rippon's 
church  in  Carter  Lane,  Southwark,  he  devoted  himself 
to  active  service  for  his  Master.  Thus  were  developed 
gifts  which  gave  promise  of  usefulness  in  the  Chris- 
tian ministry,  and  he  entered  upon  a  course  of  prepa- 
ration for  that  work.  June  2,  1791,  he  was  called  to 
take  charge  of  a  mission  in  East  Street,  Walworth, 
London.  The  mission  grew  into  a  church,  which  was 
organized  in  December  following.  Mr.  Swain's  ordi- 
nation occurred  in  Dr.  Rippon's  church,  February  8, 
1792.  In  Rippon's  "Register,"  Vol  1,  p.  522,  is  the 
following  quaint  account  of  this  service : 

"After  singing,  Mr.  Upton,  of  Greenwalk,  prayed. 
Mr.  Timothy  Thomas  described  a  Gospel  church,  made 
some  very  candid  remarks  on  the  imposition  of  hands 
in  ordinations,  and  proposed  the  usual  questions  to  the 
church  and  the  ministry.  These  being  satisfactorily 
answered,  Mr.  Swain  read  his  confession  of  faith,     Mr. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  113 

Booth  prayed  the  ordination  prayer,  laying  on  hands 
with  Dr.  Rippon,  Mr.  Smith,  of  Eagle  Street,  etc. 
Mr.  Rippon  gave  the  charge,  Mr.  Button  addressed 
the  church  from  Eph.  v.  15:  'See  then  that  ye  walk 
circumspectly,'  etc.  Mr.  Smith  prayed  the  last 
prayer.  Mr.  John  Giles  conducted  the  praises  of  God, 
at  proper  intervals,  by  lining  out  two  or  three  verses 
at  a  time,  from  different  hymns,  also  part  of  Dr. 
Watts'  132d  Psalm,  and  the  whole  410th  hymn  of  Mr. 
Rippon' s  'Selection,' 

Let  Zion's  watchmen  all  awake." 

Mr.  Swain's  ministry  was  greatly  blessed,  and  in  a 
short  time  the  membership  of  the  church  was  increased 
from  twenty-seven  to  two  hundred.  But  his  career  of 
ministerial  influence  was  brief.  He  died  after  a  two 
weeks'  illness,  April  14,  1796,  in  the  thirty-fifth  year 
of  his  age. 

His  hymns,  which  have  perpetuated  his  name,  were 
published  in  1792,  under  the  title  "Walworth  Hymns." 
After  his  death,  appeared  (1797)  his  "Redemption,  a 
Poem,  with  a  -Life  of  the  Author";  also  "Experi- 
mental Essays  on  Divine  Subjects,"  in  verse.  The 
following  familiar  hymn  is  one  of  the  writer's  best: 

How  sweet,  how  heavenly  is  the  sight, 

When  those  tliat  love  the  Lord, 
In  one  another's  peace  delight, 

And  so  fulfil  his  word! 

When  each  can  feel  his  brother's  sigh, 

And  with  him  bear  a  part. 
When  sorrow  flows  from  eye  to  eye. 

And  joy  from  keart  to  heart! 

When,  free  from  envy,  scorn  and  pride, 

Our  wishes  all  above, 
Each  can  his  brother's  failings  hide, 

And  show  a  brother's  love! 
8 


114  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

When  love,  in  one  delightful  stream, 

Thro'  every  bosom  flows, 
And  union  sweet,  and  dear  esteem, 

In  every  action  glows ! 

Love  is  the  golden  chain  that  binds 

The  happy  souls  above; 
And  he  's  an  heir  of  heaven  who  finds 

His  bosom  glow  with  love. 

Joseph  Swain  was  also  author  of  the  beautiful  hymn 

Brethren,  while  we  sojourn  here. 
Fight  we  must,  but  should  not  fear. 


JOB  HUPTON. 

1762-1849. 

In  a  village  on  the  borders  of  Needwoocl  Forest, 
near  Burton-on-Trent,  Staffordshire,  Mr.  Hupton  was 
born  in  March,  1762.  In  early  life  he  received  deep 
religious  impressions  from  the  teachings  of  a  pious 
mother,  yet  he  would  not  allow  them  to  influence  his 
life.  On  the  contrary,  he  hardened  his  heart  against 
them.  From  his  early  years,  working  at  a  forge,  he 
passed  his  leisure  hours  in  the  society  of  evil  com- 
panions; but  the  prayers  of  his  mother  followed  him. 
When  twenty-two  years  of  age,  while  in  a  public 
house,  his  conscience  was  awakened,  and  he  was  led  to 
see  his  lost  condition.  Shortly  after,  at  Walsall,  near 
Birmingham,  the  truth  was  "still  more  deeply  impressed 
upon  him  by  a  sermon  preached  by  Rev.  John  Brad- 
ford, curate  of  Frilsham,  Bedfordshire,  one  of  Lady 
Huntingdon's  preachers ;  but  still  he  did  not  find 
acceptance  with  God.  Anxious  days  followed,  but  at 
length,  while  at  his  forge,  the  darkness  passed  from 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  115 

his  mind  as  he  was  meditating  upon  the  words  of 
Isaiah,  "  Arise,  shine,  for  thy  Hght  is  come." 

With  his  conversion  there  came  a  call  to  the  Gospel 
ministry,  and  he  spent  a  few  months  at  Lady  Hunting- 
don's college  in  Trevecca,  Wales.  For  several  years 
he  devoted  himself  to  evangelical  work  in  different 
parts  of  the  country.  In  September,  1794,  having 
adopted  Baptist  views,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Baptist  church  in  Claxton,  Norfolk. 
Here  he  had  a  long  and  useful  ministry.  He  died 
October  19,  1849,  having  been  a  j)reacher  of  the 
Gospel  more  than  sixty-four  years. 

From  1803,  to  1809,  he  wrote  much  in  poetry  and 
prose  for  the  Gospel  Magazine.  A  few  years  before 
his  death  his  prose  contributions  to  the  Magazine  were 
brought  together  in  a  volume  entitled  "  The  Truth  as 
it  is  in  Jesus."  His  "  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Poems," 
with  a  brief  memoir,  were  collected  and  published  in 
1861,  by  Mr.  Daniel  Sedgwick.  "  Some  of  his  poetry," 
says  Dr.  Hatfield,  "has  great  merit."  Only  one  of  his 
hymns  has  found  its  way  into  general  use.  This  is 
herewith  given,  as  altered  by  Dr.  John  Mason  Neale 
in  the  Christian  Remembrancer,  No.  121.  It  is  part 
of  the  "  Hymn  of  Praise  to  the  Redeemer,"  consist- 
ing of  thirteen  stanzas,  beginning,  "  Come,  ye  saints, 
and  raise  an  anthem." 

Come  ye  faithful,  raise  the  anthem, 
Cleave  the  skies  with  shouts  of  praise  ; 

Sing  to  him  who  found  the  ransom, 
Ancient  of  eternal  clays; 

God  Eternal,  Word  Incarnate, 
Whom  the  Heaven  of  heavens  obeys! 

Ere  he  raised  the  lofty  mountains, 

Formed  the  sea,  or  built  the  sky, 
Love  eternal,  free  and  boundless, 

Forced  the  Lord  of  Life  to  die ; 
Lifted  up  the  Prince  of  princes 

On  the  throne  of  Calvary. 


116  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

If  his  people  walk  in  darkness 
Through  the  thickest  clouds  of  night, 

He,  according  to  his  promise, 
Sends  the  pillar-beam  of  light; 

Then  they  pass  along  his  highway, 
Turning  not  to  left  or  right. 

When  the  thirsty  pant  for  water, 
And  no  cooling  streams  are  found, 

He  descends,  like  showers  in  spring-time, 
Softening  all  the  parched  ground; 

While  the  smitten  Eock  its  torrents 
Pours  in  ample  streams  around. 

Hungry  souls  that  faint  and  languish 
By  his  boundless  hand  are  fed  I 

Yes,  he  gives  them  food  immortal! 
Gives  himself,  the  living  Bread, 

Gives  the  chalice  of  his  passion, 
Eich  with  blood  on  Calvary  shed. 

Trust  him,  then,  ye  fearful  pilgrims,  — 
Who  shall  pluck  you  from  his  hand  ? 

Pledged  he  stands  for  their  salvation, 
Who  are  fighting  for  his  land, 

Oh!   that  we,  amidst  his  true  ones, 
Bound  his  throne  may  one  day  standi 


SAMUEL  PEARCE. 

1766-1799. 

On  the  coast  of  England,  at  Plymouth,  in  Devon- 
shire, Samuel  Pearce  was  born,  July  20,  1766.  When 
fifteen  years  of  age  he  was  deeply  impressed  with  his 
need  of  a  Savior,  and  a  year  later  a  sermon  which  he 
heard  deepened  these  impressions,  and  he  was  led  to 
Christ,  the  sinner's  friend.  Subsequently,  having  for- 
gotten the  source  of  his  strength,  he  went  astray,  but 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  117 

he  was  again  led  to  the  cross,  and  reverently,  in  an 
everlasting  covenant,  he  gave  himself  to  the  service 
of  his  Master.  Having  decided  to  study  for  the  min- 
istry, he  went  to  Bristol,  where  he  entered  the  Bap- 
tist College,  devoting  himself,  as  opportunity  offered, 
to  evangelistic  work  in  and  around  Bristol.  In  1790, 
he  became  pastor  of  the  Cannon  Street  Baptist  church 
in  Birmingham,  where  he  was  ordained  August  18. 
Rev.  Andrew  Fuller  offered  the  ordaining  prayer.  Dr. 
Caleb  Evans,  of  Bristol,  delivered  the  charge,  and  the 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Robert  Hall,  senior,  of 
Arnsby,  from  Deut.  i.  38:  "Encourage  him."  Mr. 
Pearce  labored  in  Birmingham  with  great  zeal  and 
success  until  his  death,  October  10,  1799. 

With  Carey,  Fuller  and  Ryland,  Mr.  Pearce  was  an 
earnest  advocate  of  foreign  missions,  and  his  name  is 
affixed  to  the  resolutions  adopted  at  the  meeting  of 
ministers  at  Kettering,  October  2,  1792.  He  was  also 
one  of  the  contributors  that  day  to  the  funds  of  the 
"  Baptist  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  among 
the  Heathen,"  then  and  there  organized.  It  was  his 
desire  to  go  to  India  with  Carey,  and  so  strong  were 
his  convictions  of  duty,  and  on  the  other  hand  so 
strong  were  the  objections  of  his  people,  that  he  de- 
cided to  leave  with  the  Board  the  question  whether  he 
should  go  or  remain.  It  was  their  opinion  that  he 
would  be  more  useful  to  the  cause  of  missions  in  Eng- 
land than  in  India,  and  they  advised  him  to  continue 
in  his  pastorate  in  Birmingham.  Yielding  to  the 
judgment  of  his  friends,  he  labored  so  long  as  life 
lasted,  with  untiring  energy,  to  arouse  in  his  brethren 
in  England  and  Ireland  a  deeper  interest  in  mission 
work  among  the  heathen.  In  1794,  in  a  letter  to  Dr. 
Rogers,  of  Philadelphia,  he  urged  the  formation  of  an 
American  Baptist  Foreign  Missionary  Society.  Though 
cut  down  in  the  prime  of  manhood,  he  left  the  record 
of  a  well-spent  life,  and  his  influence  was  long  felt,  not 
only  in  Birmingham,  but  in  many  parts  of  England. 


118  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Andrew  Fuller  wrote  a  biography  of  Mr.  Pearce,  in 
which  he  attributed  to  him  the  authorship  of  the  hymn 

In  the  floods  of  tribulation, 

the  date  1799.  The  hymn  appeared  in  Rippon's  "Se- 
lection" of  1800.  Dr.  Belcher  says:  "Perhaps  the 
later  editions  of  Rippon's  'Selection'  of  Hymns  may 
be  the  latest  volume  of  hymns  which  contains  two 
sweet  compositions  [by  Mr.  Pearce], 

'  In  the  floods  of  tribulation,' 

and 

'  The  fabric  of  nature  is  fair.'  " 

We  find  the  former,  however,  in  Bickersteth's  "Chris- 
tian Psalmody,"  1833,  and  in  "A  Selection  of  Hymns 
for  the  Use  of  our  Baptist  Congregations,"  London, 
1838.  It  is  also  in  Spurgeon's  "Our  Own  Hymn 
Book,"  and  it  also  appeared  in  the  "Supplement  to 
Winchell's  Watts,"  Boston,  1832.  The  other  hymn, 
containing  fifteen  verses,  appears  only  in  Rippon.  Dr. 
Belcher  says  it  was  written  in  the  author's  sick  cham- 
ber, not  long  before  he  died.     I  add  the  former: 

In  the  floods  of  tribulation, 

While  the  billows  o'er  me  roll, 
Jesus  whispers  consolation, 

And  supports  my  fainting  soul; 
Hallelujah! 

Hallelujah!  praise  the  Lord. 

Thus  the  lion  yields  me  honey, 

From  the  eater  food  is  given, 
Strengthened  thus  I  still  press  forward, 

Singing  as  I  wade  to  heaven, 
Sweet  affliction, 

And  my  sins  are  all  forgiven. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  119 

'Mid  the  gloom,  the  vivid  lightnings 

With  increasing  brightness  play; 
'Mid  the  thorn-brake,  beauteous  flowerets 

Look  more  beautiful  and  gay; 
Hallelujah! 

Hallelujah!  praise  the  Lord. 

So,  in  darkest  dispensations, 

Doth  my  faithful  Lord  appear. 
With  his  richest  consolations 

To  reanimate  and  cheer; 
Sweet  affliction, 

Thus  to  bring  my  Savior  near. 

Floods  of  tribulation  heighten, 

Billows  still  around  me  roar, 
Those  that  know  not  Christ  ye  frighten, 

But  my  soul  defies  your  power; 
Hallelujah! 

Hallelujah!  praise  the  Lord. 

In  the  sacred  page  recorded 

Thus  the  word  securely  stands, 
*'  Fear  not,  I  'm  in  trouble  near  thee, 
Nought  shall  pluck  you  from  my  hands." 

Sweet  affliction. 
Every  word  my  love  demands. 

All  I  meet  I  find  assists  me 

In  my  path  to  heavenly  joy; 
Where,  though  trials  now  attend  me, 

Trials  never  more  annoy. 
Hallelujah! 

Hallelujah!  praise  the  Lord. 

Blest  then  with  a  weight  of  glory, 

Still  the  path  I  '11  ne'er  forget, 
But  exulting,  cry,  it  led  me 

To  my  blessed  Savior's  seat; 
Sweet  affliction, 

Which  has  brought  to  Jesus'  feet. 


120  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOHN  FOUNTAIN. 

1767-1800. 

But  little  is  known  concerning  Mr.  Fountain's  early 
years.  It  is  thought  that  London  was  his  birth-place. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Eagle  Street  Baptist  church 
in  that  city,  and  in  January,  1796,  was  recommended 
by  the  church  to  the  committee  of  the  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Society  for  appointment  under  their  auspices. 
He  sailed  from  G-ravesend,  near  the  close  of  April, 
1796,  and  joined  William  Carey  in  his  mission  work  at 
Mudnabatty,  Bengal,  Carey  having  reached  Bengal 
three  years  earlier.  Mr.  Fountain  began  to  preach  in 
Ben<J"ali  in  June,  1798.  The  same  year  he  translated 
a  hymn  written  in  Bengali  by  William  Carey,  com- 
mencing 

Jesus  now  have  pity  on  me. 

This  hymn  was  published  in  England  in  Rippon's 
"Register,"  Vol.  3,  p.  170.  The  East  India  Company 
refusing  in  October,  1799,  to  allow  Mr.  Marshman  and 
his  associates  who  had  just  arrived  from  England  to 
join  Carey  and  Fountain  at  Mudnabatty,  which  was 
about  four  hundred  miles  from  the  coast,  the  latter 
came  down  to  Serampore  and  placed  themselves  under 
Danish  protection.  Here  they  established  their  mis- 
sion, receiving  many  kindnesses  from  the  Governor, 
Col.  Bie.  Writing  from  Serampore,  May  14,  1800, 
Mr.  Fountain  said: 

"  Somebody  must  make  a  beginning,  and  to  us  it 
appears  no  small  grace,  that  Jehovah  hath  appointed 
us  to  this  work.  We  shall  lay  the  foundation,  nnd  our 
successors  will  see  the  building  rise.  How  soon  soever 
death  may  put  a  period  to  my  labors,  it  will  surely 
yield  some  consolation  to  my  soul  in  its  departing 
moments,  that  I  have  borne  witness  for  Christ  among 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  121 

the  heathen,  and  assisted  in  translating  the  word  of  life 
into  the  language  of  Bengal." 

Little  did  he  think  that  his  course  was  so  nearly 
finished.  He  died  August  20,  1800.  On  his  death- 
bed he  suggested  the  following  as  an  epitaph : 

John  Fountain, 

Missionary  to  the  Indies, 

aged  33. 

"  A  sinner  saved  by  grace." 

In  Rippon's  "Register,"  Vol.  3,  p.  430,  is  a  hymn  by 
Mr.  Fountain,  with  this  prefatory  note :  "  Missionary 
Thanks,  Sung  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  24th  April,  1800. 
The  day  on  which  the  missionaries  and  their  wives 
joined  the  Baptist  church  in  Bengal."     It  commences, 

This  day  be  sacred  to  the  Lord, 

Wliile  we  in  grateful  lays 
Recite  the  wonders  of  his  love, 

And  tune  our  hearts  to  praise. 

The  following  hymn,  also  written  by  Mr.  Fountain, 
appeared  first  in  Rippon's  "Selection."  It  has  a  place 
in  Mr.  Spurgeon's  "  Our  Own  Hymn  Book"  (519),  and 
also  in  some  Baptist  collections  in  this  country : 

Sinners,  you  are  now  addressed 

In  the  name  of  Christ  our  Lord; 
He  hath  sent  a  message  to  you. 

Pay  attention  to  his  word; 
He  hath  sent  it, 

Pay  attention  to  his  word. 

Think  what  you  have  all  been  doing, 

Think  what  rebels  you  have  been; 
You  have  spent  your  lives  in  nothing 

But  in  adding  sin  to  sin; 
All  your  actions 

One  continued  act  of  sin. 


122  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Yet  your  long  abused  Sovereign 
Sends  to  you  a  message  mild, 

Loth  to  execute  his  vengence, 
Prays  you  to  be  reconciled; 

Hear  him  woo  you, — 
Sinners  now  be  reconciled. 

Pardon  now  is  fully  published 
Through  the  Mediator's  blood; 

Who  hath  died  to  make  atonement 
And  appease  the  wrath  of  GodI 

Wondrous  mercy! 
See  it  flows  through  Jesus'  blood  I 

In  his  name  you  are  entreated 
To  accept  this  act  of  grace; 

This  the  day  of  your  acceptance, 
Listen  to  the  terms  of  peace; 

Oh  delay  not, 
Listen  to  the  terms  of  peace. 

Having  thus,  then,  heard  the  message, 
All-  with  heavenly  mercy  fraught, 

Go,  and  tell  the  gracious  Jesus 
If  you  will  be  saved  or  not; 

Say,  poor  sinner. 
Will  you  now  be  saved  or  not? 


JOSHUA  MARSHMAN. 

1768-1837. 

Dr.  Marshman  was  bora  at  Westbury  Leigh,  Wiltshire, 
April  20,  1708.  In  early  life  he  evinced  a  fondness 
for  books  and  study.  In  1794,  he  accepted  the  charge 
of  a  school  connected  with  the  Broadmead  Baptfst 
church,  Bristol,  and  not  long  after  he  was  baptized, 
and  united  with  the  church.  At  the  same  time  he 
entered  the  theological  seminary  at  Bristol,  and  de- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  123 

voted  himself  to  the  Hebrew,  Syriac,  and  other  lan- 
guages. Becoming  interested  in  Dr.  Carey's  work  in 
India,  he  and  his  wife,  in  1799,  offered  themselves  for 
missionary  service,  and  sailed  May  29,  for  India. 
They  landed  at  Serampore  October  18,  and  the  mis- 
sion was  established  there,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Marshman 
opening  a  boarding-school  to  aid  them  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  their  work.  In  1806,  Dr.  Marshman  com- 
menced the  study  of  the  Chinese  language  for  the 
purpose  of  translating  the  Scriptures  into  that  tongue. 
In  1814,  he  published  his  "Key  to  the.  Chinese  Lan- 
guage," and  in  fifteen  years  from  the  time  he  com- 
menced his  study  of  the  language  he  completed  the 
publication  of  the  first  portion  of  the  Scriptures  in 
the  Chinese  language,  consisting  of  the  book  of  Gene- 
sis, the  four  Gospels,  and  Paul's  Epistles  to  the  Ro- 
mans and  Corinthians.  In  1826,  he  visited  England, 
and  returned  to  India  in  1829. 

His  principal  works,  aside  from  those  already  men- 
tioned, are  a  "  Dissertation  on  the  Characters  and 
Sounds  of  the  Chinese  Language"  (1809),  ''The  Works 
of  Confucius,  containing  the  Original  Text,  with  a 
Translation"  (1811),  and  "A  Defence  of  the  Deity 
and  Atonement  of  Jesus  Christ"  (1822).  He  also 
assisted  Dr.  Carey  in  the  preparation  of  a  "  Sanskrit 
Grammar,"  and  a  "  Bengalee  and  English  Dictionary." 
An  abridgement  of  the  latter  he  published  in  1827. 

He  died  December  5,  1837,  and  was  buried  in  the 
cemetery  at  Serampore,  by  the  side  of  his  illustrious 
colleagues,  Carey  and  Ward.  In  1811,  Brown  Uni- 
versity conferred  upon  him  the  honorary  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity. 

Dr.  Marshman  translated  into  English  the  well 
known  hymn  by  Krishnu  Pal,  commencing 

O  thou,  my  soul,  forget  no  more. 

He  was  the  author,  also,  of  the  following  hymn: 


124  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Hail,  precious  book  divine  I 

Illumined  by  thy  rays, 
We  rise  from  death  and  sin 

To  speak  the  Savior's  praise; 
The  shades  of  error,  dark  as  night, 
Vanish  before  thy  radiant  light. 

We  bless  the  God  of  grace, 
Who  hath  his  word  revealed 

To  earth's  bewildered  race. 
So  long  in  darkness  held. 

His  love  designs;  his  peojDle  pray; 

His  providence  prepares  the  way. 

Now  shall  the  heathen  learn 
The  glories  of  our  King; 

And  from  their  idols  turn 
Jehovah's  name  to  sing; 

Diffusing  heavenly  light  around, 

This  book  shall  Satan's  power  confound. 

Deign,  gracious  Savior,  deign 
To  smile  upon  thy  word ; 

Let  millions  now  attain 
Salvation  from  the  Lord; 

Nor  let  its  growing  conquests  stay, 

Till  earth  exult  to  own  thy  sway  1 


WILLIAM  WARD. 

1769-1823. 

One  of  the  celebrated  triumvirate  at  Serampore,  Mr. 
Ward  was  born  at  Derby,  England,  October  10,  1769. 
He  learned  the  printer's  trade  in  his  native  town,  and 
subsequently  became  editor  of  the  Derby  Mercury. 
Afterward  he  edited  papers  in  Stafford  and  Hull.  In 
August,  1796,  during  his  residence  in  Hull,  he  united 
with  the  Baptist  church  there.     It  was  believed  that 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  125 

he  could  best  promote  the  cause  of  his  master  by 
devoting  Iiimself  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  minis- 
try, and  a  benevolent  friend  offered  to  pay  his  expen- 
ses during  his  preparatory  course.  He  accordingly 
renounced  journalism  and  gave  himself  to  theological 
study  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Dr.  Fawcett,  at 
Ewood  Hall,  Yorkshire.  A  few  months  afterward, 
learning  that  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society  wished  to 
secure  a  missionary  printer,  in  order  to  publish  the 
Bengalee  translation  of  the  Scriptures,  Mr  Ward 
offered  his  services  for  that  purpose,  together  with  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel  to  the  heathen,  as  opportunity 
offered;  and  May  29,  1799,  in  company  with  Joshua 
Marshman,  William  Grant,  Daniel  Brunsdon,  and 
their  families,  he  sailed  for  India.  Grant  died  at 
Serampore,  October  31,  1799,  soon  after  their  arrival, 
and  in  Rippon's  ''  Register,"  Vol.  3,  pp.  225,  226,  Mr. 
Ward,  in  verse,  pays  a  tribute  to  the  memory  of  his 
companion,  who,  it  seems,  had  once  been  a  scoffer  at 
Christianity;  but  grace  had  subdued  his  heart.  From 
it  these  lines  are  taken  : 

No  longer  now  he  doubts  the  word  of  God, 
Normadl)^  tramples  on  the  Savior's  blood; 
He  feels  the  jiower  and  majesty  divine 
Which  shine  in  every  page,  in  every  line; 
Wonders  he  ne'er  beheld  the  scene  before, 
And  longs  to  bear  the  news  to  every  shore. 

To  prove  the  change  divine,  his  prayer  is  heard; 
To  India's  shore  he  bears  the  heavenly  word; 
Jesus  accepts  the  soul  his  grace  has  won ; 
On  India's  plains  arrived,  his  work  is  done; 
Content,  the  way  to  heathen  lands  is  shown. 
He  follows  Mercy  to  the  world  unknown. 

Mr.  Ward  printed,  at  Serampore,  the  Bengalee  New 
Testament  and  other  translations,  and  wrote  •"  An  ac- 
count of  the  Writings,  Religion,  and  Manners  of  the 
Hindoos,"  which  was  published  at  Serampore  in  1811, 
and  was  reprinted  in  England  and  America.  It  was  a 
work  of  great  value,    and   such  it   still   remains.     In 


126  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

1819,  Mr.  Ward  visited  England,  where  lie  ^yas  most 
heartily  welcomed  as  the  first  missionary  who  had 
returned  to  tell  the  story  of  the  triumphs  of  the  cross 
in  India.  He  also  visited  Holland,  and  subsequently 
the  United  States,  where  he  spent  three  months,  deep- 
ened the  missionary  interest  in  the  churches,  and 
received  for  the  college  at  Serampore  contributions  to 
the  amount  of  ten  thousand  dollars.  He  returned  to 
India  in  1821,  and  died,  after  a  short  illness,  March 
7,  1823,  aged  fifty-three  years. 

The  missionary  hymn,  commencing 

Great  God,  the  nations  of  the  earth 
Are  by  creation  thine, 

is  sometimes  attributed  to  Mr.  Ward  (Psalmist,  p.  862), 
but  it  is  part  of  a  hymn,  of  forty-six  stanzas,  by 
Thomas  Gibbons,  d.d.,  the  biographer  of  Dr.  Watts, 
and  is  found  with  his  name  attached  in  his  collection 
of  1769.  He  is,  however,  the  author  of  the  following 
hymn : 

Oh,  charge  the  waves  to  bear  our  friends 

In  safety  o'er  the  deep; 
Let  tlie  rough  tempest  speed  their  way, 

Or  bid  its  fury  sleep. 

Where'er  thy  sons  proclaim  good  news 

Beneath  the  Banyan's  shade, 
Let  the  poor  Hindoo  feel  its  power, 

And  grace  his  soul  pervade. 

O  let  the  heavenly  Shaster  spread; 

Bid  Brahmans  preach  the  word; 
And  may  all  India's  tribes  become 

One  caste  to  serve  the  Lord! 

In  Rippon's  "  Selection  "  these  stanzas  are  the  8th, 
9th,  and  10th  of  a  hymn,  the  first  seven  verses  of 
Avhich  are  by  Dr.  Thomas  Gibbons.  In  a  note  Dr. 
Rippon  says:  "Verses  8,  9,  and  10  of  the  hymn  were 
written  off  Margate,  by  Mr.  William  Ward,  one  of  the 
Baptist  missionaries,  on  their  departure  for  India,  May 
29,  1799." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  127 

HENRY  PAICE. 


The  earliest  mention  of  Henry  Paice  is  in  Dr.  Rip- 
pon's  "  Register,"  in  an  account  of  his  ordination,  May 
13,  1795,  as  pastor  of  the  Particuhir  Baptist  church  at 
Waddesdon  Hall,  Bucks.  Five  3^ears  afterward  he 
had  removed  to  Aylesbury,  in  the  same  county,  but 
the  church  there  being  unable  to  support  him,  Mr. 
Paice,  in  1800,  accepted  an  invitation  to  Broseley,  in 
Shropshire.  July  29,  1824,  he  was  recognized  as  pas- 
tor at  High  Wycombe,  Bucks,  from  which  place  he 
removed,  a  few  years  later,  to  Pimlico,  London.  His 
subsequent  history  cannot  now  be  traced. 

During  his  residence  at  Broseley  he  published  a  col- 
lection of  one  hundred  and  sixty-nine  hymns,  chiefly 
selected  from  the  periodicals  of  that  day,  biit  includ- 
ino;  eisrht  with  the  letter  P.  affixed,  which  are  believed 
to  be  his  own.  Mr.  Paice's  book  has  no  date,  but  was 
printed  and  sold  by  William  Smith,  at  Ironbridge, 
which  is  near  Broseley,  and  sold  also  by  the  editor 
at  Broseley.     The  probable  date  is  about  1804. 

The  only  one  of  Mr.  Paice's  hymns  which  has  found 
a  place  in  other  collections,  is  one  commencing 

Great  source  of  uncreated  light. 

The  last  three  stanzas,  with  the  first  word  altered,  ap- 
pear as  a  short  hymn  in  the  "Selections"  of  Gadsby, 
Denham  and  Stevens.  A  better  selection,  perhaps, 
would  have  been  the  following: 

O  be  not  angry,  Lord, 

And  I,  though  dust,  will  speak; 
If  thou,  ere  long,  dost  not  return, 

This  wounded  heart  will  break. 

Within  thy  sacred  courts, 

With  rapture  have  I  heard 
The  whispers  of  thy  love,  and  felt 

The  comforts  of  thy  word. 


128  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

But  ah  I  those  days  are  fled, 

And  I  begin  to  fear, 
Lest  those  sweet  gentle  sounds  of  thine 

Ko  more  should  charm  mine  ear. 

Creatures  can  ne'er  supply 
His  presence  whom  I  love; 

Had  I  the  utmost  they  could  give, 
My  soul  would  empty  prove. 

Scatter  this  darkness,  Lord, 

And  bid  these  shadows  flee; 
And  deign,  thou  Sun  of  Eighteousness, 
'  Again  to  shine  on  me. 

Thus  shall  my  soul,  revived. 
Confess  thy  saving  power; 

Shall  tune  her  long-neglected  harp, 
Her  Jesus  to  adore. 


WILLIAM  GADSBY. 

1773-1844. 

Rev.  William  Gadsby  was  born  in  Attleborough, 
Warwickshire,  about  January  3,  1773.  His  parents 
were  poor,  and  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  ribbon  weaver 
w^hen  thirteen  years  of  age.  An  execution  which  he 
witnessed  in  1790,  impressed  him  deeply,  and  he 
abandoned  his  previous  course  of  Ufe.  Having  passed 
through  various  experiences,  he  was  baptized  in  1793, 
and  united  with  the  Baptist  church  at  Coventry.  In 
1798,  he  commenced  to  preach,  and  two  years  later  a 
chapel  was  built  for  him  at  Hinckley,  In  1805,  he 
accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  in  St. 
George's  Road,  now  called  Rochdale  Road,  Manchester, 
where  he  ministered  until  his  death,  January  27,  1844. 
His  labors  were  abundant  in  all  the  country  around, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  129 

and  he  is  said  to  have  preached  twelve  thousand 
sermons . 

In  1814,  he  published  his  "  Nazarene  Songs,"  and 
also  his  "  Selection  of  Hymns."  In  1838,  a  new 
edition  of  the  latter,  with  a  supplement,  appeared.  In 
1846-7,  all  of  Hart's  hymns  which  were  not  included 
in  earlier  editions,  were  added,  and  in  1849-50, 
a  second  supplement,  by  Mr.  Philpot,  was  added, 
increasing  the  whole  number  to  more  than  eleven 
hundred.  Mr.  Gadsby  also  published  a  "  Selection  of 
Hymns  for  Sunday  Schools." 

In  the  appendix  to  Jones  and  Allison's  "  Selection 
of  Psalms  and  Hymns  "  (4th  Ed.,  Philadelphia,  1819) 
are  four  hymns  by  William  Gadsby,  including  the  fol- 
lowing from  his  "Nazarene  Songs": 

Once  more,  dear  God  of  grace, 

Thine  earthly  courts  we  tread ; 
"We  come  to  see  thy  face, 
And  banquet  with  our  head. 
We  long,  we  faint,  we  pant  for  thee 
And  hope  that  with  us  thou  wilt  be. 

Though  base  and  vile  we  are, 

No  goodness  have  to  bring; 

We  cannot  well  despair, 

While  Jesus  is  our  King. 

He  welcomes  all  by  sin  oppressed, 

Upon  his  grace  to  come  and  feast. 

With  Christ  we  would  be  fed, 

By  faith  upon  him  live, 
We  wish  no  other  bread. 
And  thou  hast  this  to  give; 
Lord,  fill  us  well  Avith  this  rich  food, 
And  let  us  drink  thy  precious  blood. 

Mr.  Gadsby  was  the  father  of  John  Gadsby,  author 
of    "  Memoirs     of    Hymn   Writers    and    Compilers " 
(2d  Ed.,  London,  1855). 
9 


130  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOHN  BUKTON. 

1773-1822. 

This  writer  is  known  as  John  Burton,  senior,  to  dis- 
tinguish him  from  another  hymn  writer  of  the  same 
name,  who  was  born  in  1803.  He  was  probably  a  na- 
tive of  Nottingham,  and  was  born  February  26,  1773. 
He  seems  early  to  have  become  interested  in  Sunday- 
school  work,  and  his  first  hymns  were  written  for  the 
school  in  which  he  was  a  teacher.  A  volume  of  his 
hjanns  was  published  in  1802,  under  the  title,  "The 
Youth's  Monitor  in  Verse.  In  a  Series  of  Little  Tales, 
Emblems,  Poems,  and  Songs,  Moral  and  Divine."  His 
"Hymns  for  Sunday-schools,  or  Incentives  to  Early 
Piety,"  in  two  parts,  followed,  the  second  in  1806. 
The  first  contained  thirty-six  hymns,  and  the  second 
sixty.  In  1810,  he  published  a  collection  of  hymns 
adapted  for  Sunday-schools,  containing  one  hundred 
and  twenty-one  hymns,  some  of  which  were  his  own. 
The  Nottingham  collection  reached  its  twentieth  edi- 
tion in  1861.  Ten  of  his  hymns  are  found  in  "The 
Voice  of  Praise,"  published  by  the  London  Sunday- 
school  Union.  Mr.  Burton  was  the  author  of  "The 
Nottingham  Sunday-school  Union  Spelling  Book," 
"The  Young  Plantation,"  in  verse,  "The  Shrubbery," 
and  other  works  for  the  young. 

He  removed  to  Leicester  about  the  year  1813,  and 
there  enjoyed  the  friendship  of  Robert  Hall,  who 
wrote  the  preface  to  one  of  his  books.  He  died  June 
24,  1822,  leaving  an  unpublished  volume  of  hymns  for 
village  worship. 

One  of  his  hymns,  commencing 

Holy  Bible!  book  divine! 
Precious  treasure!  thou  art  mine, 

first  appeared  in  the  Evangelical  Magazine  for  1805, 
and  was  signed  "J.  B.  Nottingham."     A  son,  born  in 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  .    131 

1808,  relates  that  he  was  taught  this  hymn  by  his 
father  before  he  was  able  to  read. 

One  of  his  best  known  hymns  is  the  following : 

Time  is  winging  us  away 

To  our  eternal  home ; 
Life  is  but  a  winter's  day, — 

A  journey  to  the  tomb. 
Youth  and  vigor  soon  will  flee, 

Blooming  beauty  lose  its  charms; 
All  that 's  mortal  soon  shall  be 

Enclosed  in  death's  cold  arms. 

Time  is  winging  us  away 

To  our  eternal  home; 
Life  is  but  a  winter's  day, — 

A  journey  to  the  tomb; 
But  the  Christian  shall  enjoy 
"  Health  and  beauty  soon  above, 

"Where  no  worldly  griefs  annoy, 

Secure  in  Jesus'  love. 

Another  favorite  hymn  by  the  same  writer  begins 

O  thou  that  hearest  prayer. 

Attend  our  humble  cry. 
And  let  thy  servant  share 

Thy  blessing  from  on  high; 
We  plead  the  promise  of  thy  word; 
Grant  us  thy  Holy  Spirit,  Lord. 


WILLIAM  W.  HORNE. 

1773-1826. 


Not  much  is  known  concerning  this  hymn  writer. 
He  was  born  at  Gissing,  Norfolk,  in  1773.  Having 
devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry, 
he  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Yarmouth, 


132     .  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

and  afterward  at  Leicester.  About  1806,  he  removed 
to  London,  where  he  preached  to  two  churches  in  the 
eastern  jDart  of  the  metropoHs.  These  churches, 
shortly  before  his  death,  were  united  in  the  Ebenezer 
Chapel,  Commercial  Road.  He  died  July  27,  1826, 
aged  fifty-two. 

His  "  Sion's  Hymns  of  Praise  "  contains  ninety-eight 
hymns,  written  by  Mr.  Home.  Of  these  the  following 
are  found  in  Gadsby's,  Denham's  and  other  selections : 

"  Union  with  Christ  the  Lord," 
"  We  sing  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord," 
"  Jesus,  thou  alone  canst  save," 
"  The  God  of  grace  delights  to  hear," 
"  Sing  to  the  Lord,  whose  matchless  love," 
"  Draw  near,  ye  saints,  with  sweetest  praise," 
also  the  following: 

Death  is  no  more  a  frightful  foe. 

Since  I  with  Christ  shall  reign; 
With  joy  I  leave  this  world  of  woe, 

For  me  to  die  is  gain. 

To  darkness,  doubts  and  fears,  adieu! 

Adieu,  thou  world  so  vain; 
Then  shall  I  know  no  more  of  you ; 

For  me  to  die  is  gain. 

No  more  shall  Satan  tempt  my  soul. 

Corruptions  shall  be  slain, 
And  tides  of  pleasure  o'er  me  roll; 

For  me  to  die  is  gain. 

N"or  shall  I  know  a  Father's  frown, 

But  ever  with  him  reign. 
And  wear  an  everlasting  crown; 

For  me  to  die  is  gain. 

Sorrow  for  joy  I  shall  exchange, 

Forever  freed  from  pain. 
And  o'er  the  plains  of  Canaan  range; 

For  me  to  die  is  gain. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  133 

Fain  would  my  raptured  soul  depart, 

Nor  longer  here  remain, 
But  dwell,  dear  Jesus,  where  thou  art; 

For  me  to  die  is  gain. 


MARIA  GRACE  SAFFARY. 

1773-1858. 

This  writer  of  many  beautiful  hymns  was  the  sec- 
ond wife  of  Rev.  John  Saffary,  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  SaHsbury,  Wiltshire.  In  her  earlier  years 
she  published  a  short  poem  and  romance.  Some  of 
her  hymns  she  contributed  to  the  "Baptist  Magazine," 
and  two  were  included  in  Dr.  Liefchilds'  "  Hymns  Ap- 
propriated to  Christian  Union,  Selected  and  Original," 
London,  1846.  In  1834,  Mrs.  Saffary  made  a  collec- 
tion of  her  hymns,  which  she  published  under  the  ti- 
tle, "Poems  on  Sacred  Subjects."  Her  husband  was 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Salisbury  thirty-five  years,  and 
his  son  succeeded  him  in  the  pastorate. 

One  of  Mrs.  Saffary' s  best  hymns  commences 

God  of  the  sunlight  hours  I  how  sad. 

A  baptismal  hymn  begins 

Savior,  we  seek  the  watery  tomb. 

Another  baptismal  hymn,  found  in  most  of  our  collec- 
tions, though  with  some  variations,  was  written  before 
1818,  as  a  son  says  that  in  that  year  it  was  used  at 
his  own  baptism,  and  had  been  used  by  his  father  on 
baptismal  occasions  earlier : 


134  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

'T  is  the  great  Father  we  adore 

In  this  baptismal  sign; 
'T  is  he  whose  voice  on  Jordan's  shore 

Proclaimed  the  Son  divine. 

The  Father  owned  him;  let  our  breath 

In  answering  praise  ascend, 
As,  in  the  image  of  his  death, 

We  own  our  heavenly  friend. 

We  seek  the  consecrated  grave. 

Along  the  path  he  trod ; 
Receive  us  in  the  hallowed  wave, 

Thou  holy  Son  of  God! 

Blest  Spirit!  with  intense  desire, 

Solicitous  we  bow; 
Baptize  us  in  renewing  fire. 

And  ratify  the  vow. 

Let  earth  and  heaven  our  pledge  record, 

And  future  witness  bear, 
That  we  to  Zion's  mighty  Lord 

Our  full  allegiance  swear. 

In  some  collections  the  fourth  stanza  is  omitted,  and 
as  the  closing  stanza  occurs  the  following: 

O  that  our  conscious  souls  may  own, 

With  joy  serene  survey, 
Inscribed  upon  his  judgment  throne. 

The  transcript  of  this  day. 

Mrs.  Saffary  died  March  5,  1858,  aged  eighty-five 
years.  Miller  ("Singers  and  Songs  of  the  Church," 
p.  352)  says:  "Many  of  Mrs.  Salary's  beautiful  hymns 
and  poems  have  not  gone  beyond  her  own  private  cir- 
cle, because,  being  fastidious  in  her  taste,  and  refined 
in  her  sensibilities,  she  had  unfortunately  been  subject 
to  the  annoyance  of  having  her  productions  marred 
by  the  so-called  emendations  of  pretentious  and  unpo- 
etical  editors." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  135 

JOHN  STEVENS. 

1776-1847. 

John  Stevens  was  born  at  Aldwinkle,  Northampton- 
shire, June  8,  1776.  When  about  the  age  of  sixteen, 
to  improve  himself  in  his  business  as  a  shoemaker,  he 
went  to  London,  where  he  began  to  attend  the  minis- 
try of  Rev.  R.  Burnham,  of  Grafton  Street,  Soho. 
There  he  was  baptized,  and  not  long  afterward  he  was 
called  by  the  church  to  preach.  In  1797,  he  became 
minister  at  Oundle,  in  his  native  county.  Thence  he 
removed  to  St.  Neot's,  and  subsequently  to  Barton,  in 
Lincolnshire.  In  1811,  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Burn- 
ham,  he  was  invited  to  succeed  him  at  Grafton  Street. 
The  place  became  too  small,  and  after  a  temporary 
removal  to  another  building  in  1824,  a  new  chapel 
was  erected  in  Meard's  Court,  where  Mr.  Stevens  con- 
tinued to  minister  until  his  death,  October  6,  1847. 

Mr.  Stevens  belonged  to  the  High  Calvinistic  school 
of  theology,  had  popular  gifts  as  a  preacher,  and  was 
a  keen  controversialist.  When  at  St.  Neot's  he  wrote 
a  book  entitled  "  Help  for  the  True  Disciples  of  Im- 
manuel,"  in  opposition  to  the  views  of  Andrew  Fuller. 
In  1809,  he  published  a  work  entitled  "  Doctrinal  An- 
tinomianism  Refuted,  and  the  Old  Law  Established  in 
a  New  Relation."  This  was  in  opposition  to  Mr. 
William  Gadsby.  But  his  most  famous  book  was  a 
treatise  entitled  "  A  Scriptural  Display  of  the  Triune 
God  and  the  Early  Existence  of  Jesus'  Human  Soul," 
published  soon  after  his  settlement  as  pastor  at  Grafton 
Street.  Of  the  Pre-Existence  theory,  as  it  was  termed, 
he  was  a  warm  advocate. 

In  1809,  Mr.  Stevens  pubhshed  a  "  New  Selection  of 
Hymns,  including  also  several  original  Hymns  never 
before  offered  to  the  Public."  This  selection  went 
through  a  number  of  editions  (8th,  1847),  and  was 
enlarged  from  time  to  time.     In  the  form  in  which  it 


136  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

is  now  used,  it  contains  nine  hundred  and  seventy 
hymns,  and  was  edited  by  J.  S.  Anderson,  of  Zion 
Ciiapel,  New  Cross  Road,  London.  Thirty-four  of  the 
hymns  were  composed  by  Mr.  Stevens.  Most  of  them 
embody  High  Calvinistic  views  of  election  and  the 
atonement,  but  a  few  of  the  hymns  on  Baptism  and 
the  Lord's  Supper  would  be  acceptable  to  most  Baptists. 
The  following  is  number  710  in  Stevens'  "Selection": 

Around  this  social  board, 

In  sweetest  bonds  of  love, 
"We  take  our  seats  before  the  Lord 

In  hope  to  meet  above; 

Memorials  of  our  Priest 

Before  our  eyes  appear, 
With  pleasure  may  we  keep  the  feast, 

Since  Jesus  Christ  is  here. 

Ye  hungry,  thirsty,  come  I 

Draw  near  and  freel}'  take; 
Your  Savior  kindly  saith,  "  Here's  room;' 

Make  free  for  Jesus'  sake. 

There's  room  by  Jesus'  side, 

And  room  beneath  his  feet,  — 
Eoom  for  the  humble  to  abide, 

"Where  his  redeemed  meet. 


BOURNE  H.  DRAPER. 

1778-1843. 

In  Winchell's  Watts,  as  enlarged  in  1832,  appeared 
two  hymns,  one  of  three  stanzas  commencing 

Ye  Christian  heroesl  go,  proclaim, 

and  the  other  of  two  stanzas,  commencing 

Sovereign  of  worlds!  display  thy  power. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  137 

To  neither  of  these  hymns  is  the  author's  name  at>- 
tached.  Both  of  the  hymns  are  in  the  "  Psahnist," 
the  second  with  three  stanzas,  and  ascribed  to  "Pratt's 
Collection,"  while  the  first  is  ascribed  to  "Winchell's 
Selection."  Both  of  these  hymns  are  found  in  most 
modern  collections.  In  the  "Service  of  Song"  the 
first  is  marked  "Anon,"  while  to  the  second  are  ap- 
pended the  words,  "Baptist  Magazine,  1816."  In  the 
"  Calvary  Selection  of  Spiritual  Songs"  the  second  is 
ascribed  to  Mrs.  Yoke,  while  in  the  "Baptist  Hymnal" 
the  first  is  ascribed  to  the  same  author.  In  the 
New  York  Independent,  September  17,  1885,  the  late 
Rev.  John  Forsyth,  d.d.,  of  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  solved 
the  mystery  as  to  the  authorship  of  these  hymns. 

They  were  w^ritten  by  Rev.  Bourne  Hall  Draper,  an 
English  Baptist  minister,  and  originally  formed  one  • 
hymn.  According  to  his  daughter,  Mr.  Draper  was 
born  at  Cumner,  near  Oxford,  in  1775,  day  and  month 
unknown.  "His  parents,"  says  Dr.  Forsyth,  "were 
members  of  the  church  of  England,  and  their  purpose 
was  that  their  son  should  be  prepared  to  take  orders 
in  that  church;  but  pecuniary  misfortune  prevented 
the  accomplishment  of  their  wish.  Instead  of  this, 
he  became  an  apprentice  to  the  printing  business  of 
the  Clarendon  Press,  the  famous  printing  establish- 
ment of  the  University  of  Oxford.  While  serving  his 
time  as  an  apprentice,  he  joined  the  Baptist  church  in 
Oxford,  and,  on  completing  his  term  of  apprentice- 
ship, he  was  recommended  by  that  church  to  be  ad- 
mitted as  a  student  in  the  Baptist  Academy  at  Bristol, 
then  under  the  presidency  of  Rev.  Dr.  John  Ryland. 
He  was  admitted  in  1802.  In  1804,  he  was  ordained 
as  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Chipping  Norton, 
Oxfordshire,  and  finally  became  pastor  of  a  Baptist 
church  in  Southampton,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death,  October  12,  1843.  Mr.  Draper  was  a  devout, 
earnest  and  faithful  minister,  and  was  in  full  sympa- 
thy with  all  the  religious  and  benevolent  movements 


138  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

of  his  day.  He  wrote  various  little  works  for  chil- 
dren, some  of  which  were  translated  into  French  and 
Italian.  He  also  published  some  volumes  of  sermons 
and  of  devotional  works.  His  various  publications 
were  thirty-six  in  number,  and  they  all  attest  that  he 
was  a  man  of  marked  ability  and  considerable  erudi- 
tion. He  does  not  appear  to  have  published  any  col- 
lection of  hymns,  although  numerous  fugitive  poems 
and  sonnets,  signed  with  his  initials,  b.  h.  d.,  are  to 
be  found  in  the  volumes  of  the  Baptist  Magazine." 

The  "  Double  Hymn,"  as  the  hymn  from  which  the 
two  hymns, 

Ye  Christian  heroes,  go,  proclaim, 

and 

Sovereign  of  worlds!  display  thy  power, 

has  been  called,  first  appeared  in  a  collection  of  hymns 
compiled  by  Elias  Smith  and  Abner  Jones,  entitled 
"Hymns  for  the  Use  of  Christians."  This  collection 
was  published  in  Portland,  Maine,  in  1805,  and  the 
"Double  Hymn"  (263)  has  this  title,  "On  the  Depart- 
ure of  the  Missionaries,  by  a  Bristol  Student."  The 
departure  of  the  missionaries,  for  which  the  hymn  was 
written,  occurred  December  1,  1803,  and  the  hymn 
must  have  found  its  way  into  this  collection  from  some 
English  publication  in  which  it  appeared.  The  hymn, 
as  thus  printed,  is  as  follows : 

Kuler  of  worlds!  display  thy  power, 
Be  this  thy  Zion's  favored  hour; 
Bid  the  bright  morning  star  arise 
And  point  the  nations  to  the  skies. 

Set  up  thy  throne  where  Satan  reigns, 
On  Afric's  shores,  or  India's  plains, 
On  wilds  and  continents  unknown, 
And  be  the  universe  thine  own! 

Speak,  and  the  world  shall  hear  thy  voice ; 
Speak,  and  the  deserts  shall  rejoice! 
Scatter  the  shades  of  mortal  night; 
Let  worthless  idols  flee  the  light! 


AND  THEIR  HYMXS.  139 

Trusting  in  him,  dear  brethren,  rear 
The  gospel  standard,  void  of  fear; 
Go  seek  with  joy  your  destined  shore 
To  view  your  native  land  no  more. 

Ye  Christian  heroes!  go,  proclaim 
Salvation  through  Immanuel's  name ! 
To  India's  clime  the  tidings  bear, 
And  plant  the  Rose  of  Sharon  there. 

He  '11  shield  you  with  a  wall  of  fire. 
With  flaming  zeal  your  breasts  inspire ; 
Bid  raging  winds  their  fury  cease, 
And  hush  the  tempests  into  peace. 

And  when  our  labors  all  are  o'er, 
Then  we  shall  meet  to  part  no  more ; 
Meet  with  the  blood-bought  throng  to  fall, 
And  crown  our  Jesus  Lord  of  all. 


THOMAS  COLES. 

1779-1840. 

In  the  eastern  part  of  the  picturesque  county  of 
Gloucester  stands  an  old-fashioned  English  village, 
having  a  rather  large  number  of  comfortable  looking 
houses,  with  fronts  covered  with  ivy  or  other  climbing 
plants,  and  a  stream  of  clear  swiftly  running  water 
flowing  through  it.  The  houses  are  on  both  sides  of 
the  water,  and  the  stream,  four  or  five  yards  wide,  is 
spanned  by  several  bridges.  Hence  the  name  of  the 
place,  Bourton-on-the-Water.  Here  for  fifty-two  years 
Benjamin  Beddome  was  the  Baptist  pastor.  Here,  too, 
the  celebrated  essayist,  John  Foster,  found  his  wife, 
and  spent  the  first  nine  years  of  his  married   life. 

Thomas  Coles,  who  was  born  at  Rowell,  near  Winch- 
comb,  Gloucestershire,  August  31,  1779,  early  in  life 


140  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

removed  to  Bourton,  and  here,  when  about  sixteen 
years  of  age,  he  united  with  the  Baptist  church.  His 
baptism  took  place  only  a  month  before  the  death  of 
his  venerable  pastor,  Mr.  Beddome,  the  officiating 
minister  being  Rev.  Benjamin  Francis,  of  Horsley,  also 
famous  as  a  hymn  writer.  Shortly  afterward,  Thomas 
Coles  proceeded  to  Bristol  to  study  for  the  ministry, 
under  Dr.  Ryland,  and  two  years  later  to  the  Univer- 
sity of  Aberdeen,  where  in  due  time  he  took  his 
degree  of  master  of  arts.  The  services  of  Mr.  Coles 
were  sought  for  by  important  churches  in  Birmingham 
and  London,  both  Samuel  Pearce  and  Abraham  Booth 
desiring  to  have  him  as  assistant.  But,  in  1801_,  he 
accepted  the  earnest  invitation  of  his  friends  at 
Bourton-on-the-Water  to  become  their  pastor,  a  posi- 
tion which  he  held  with  honor  and  usefulness  to  him- 
self until  his  death,  September  23,  1840. 

Mr.  Coles  will  probably  be  best  known  to  posterity 
as  the  successor  of  Beddome  and  the  friend  and  cor- 
respondent of  John  Foster.  As  a  hymn  writer,  he  is 
known  by  one  hymn  only,  the  372d,  in  the  "  Selection  " 
enlarged.  One  who  has  read  the  description  given 
above  of  Bourton-on-the-Water  will  not  fail  to  observe 
in  this  hymn  how  the  clear,  ever-running  village  brook 
reminded  the  author  of  that  "  river,  the  streams 
whereof  make  glad  the  city  of  God,"  as  well  as  of 
"  the  fountain  open  for  sin  and  uncleanness." 

Indulgent  God  I  to  thee  I  raise 
My  spirit,  fraught  with  joy  and  praise; 
Grateful  I  bow  before  thy  throne, 
My  debt  of  mercy  there  to  own. 

Kivers  descending,  Lord  I  from  thee, 
Perpetual  glide  to  solace  me; 
Their  varied  virtues  to  rehearse 
Demands  an  everlasting  verse. 

And  yet  there  is  beyond  the  rest, 

One  stream  —  the  widest  and  the  best  — 

Salvation  I  lo,  the  purple  flood 

Bolls  rich  with  my  Kedeemer's  blood  I 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  141 

I  taste  —  delight  succeeds  to  woe; 
I  bathe  — no  waters  cleanse  me  so; 
Such  joy  and  purity  to  share, 
I  would  remain  enraptured  there 

*  Till  death  shall  give  this  soul  to  know 
The  fulness  sought  in  vain  below;  — 
The  fulness  of  that  boundless  sea 
Whence  flowed  the  river  down  to  me. 

My  soul,  with  such  a  scene  in  view, 
Bids  mortal  joys  a  glad  adieu; 
Nor  dreads  a  few  chastising  woes 
Sent  with  such  love,  so  soon  to  close. 


JAMES  H.  EVANS. 

1785-1849. 

James  Harrington  Evans  was  born  in  Salisbury, 
April  15,  1785.  He  was  the  only  child  of  Rev.  Dr.. 
Evans,  priest-vicar  of  Salisbury  Cathedral,  and  was  an 
exceedingly  precocious  child.  At  the  age  of  fourteen 
he  obtained  a  scholarship  at  Wadham  College,  Oxford. 
In  1803,  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  took  his  de- 
gree of  B.A.,  and  two  years  later  he  became  a  Fellow 
of  Wadham.  In  1808,  he  was  ordained  a  deacon  in 
the  Church  of  EngLind.  For  awhile  he  was  a  curate 
at  Enville,  in  Staffordshire,  and  afterward  at  MiKord, 
in  Hampshire.  On  account  of  a  change  of  views  with 
reference  to  infant  baptism,  he  left  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land in  1815,  and  united  with  the  Baptists.  In  1816, 
he  removed  to  London,  and  preached  at  L'Eglise 
Suisse,  St.  Giles.  Not  long  after,  his  sister-in-law. 
Lady  Drummond,  wife  of  Henry  Drummond,  Esq., 
M.P.,  built  for  him  a  chapel  in  John  Street,  Gray's  Inn 
Lane,  where  he  commenced  his  ministry  in  1818,  and 
where  his  labors,  which  were  exceedingly  useful,  were 


142  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

continued  thirty-one  years,  until  his  death,  wliich  oc- 
curred at  Stonehaven,  Scotland,  December  1,  1849. 
He  was  succeeded  in  the  pastorate  by  the  Hon.  and 
Rev.  Baptist  W.  Noel,  whom  he  had  baptized. 

Of  his  published  writings,  the  first  was  "The  Old 
Man  and  his  Granddaughter  at  E."  In  1819,  he  pub- 
lished "Dialogues  on  Important  Subjects,"  in  which 
he  advanced  views  concerning  the  Trinity,  which  he 
afterward  retracted  in  "Letters  to  a  Friend,"  published 
in  1826.  His  other  works  were:  "Letters  of  a  pastor 
to  his  Flock"  (1835),  "Five  Sermons  on  Faith"  (1837), 
"The  Spirit  of  Holiness,  Four  Sermons"  (1838), 
"Checks  to  Infidelity,  contained  in  Four  Essays" 
(1840),  "Vintage  Gleanings"  (1849),  "Eight  Prayers" 
(1856). 

In  1818,  when  he  commenced  his  ministry  in  John 
Street,  Mr.  Evans  published  a  hymn  book,  containing 
one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  hymns.  A  third  edi- 
tion appeared  in  1822,  containing  two  hundred  and 
eleven  hymns.  A  new  and  enlarged  edition,  contain- 
ing four  hundred  and  fifty-one  hymns,  was  published 
in  1838,  entitled  "Psalms  and  Hymns,  Selected  Chiefly 
for  Public  Worship."  There  are  in  this  edition  seven- 
teen hymns  by  Mr.  Evans,  of  which  twelve  appeared 
in  the  edition  of  1818. 

The  following  hymns,  in  the  edition  of  1818,  are 
not  in  the  edition  of  1838: 

"  A  sinner  saved  before  thee  stands," 
"  Hymns  to  the  mighty  God  "we  raise." 
The  hymn. 

Rejoice,  ye  saints,  rejoice  and  praise, 

is  in  the  "Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune  Book"  erroneously 
ascribed  to  John  H.  Evans.  The  following  hymn  has 
a  place  in  "Psalms  and  Hymns,"  compiled  by  Rev.  E. 
Bickersteth : 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  143 

Change  is  our  portion  here ! 

The  calm  unruffled  sea 
Still  sleeps,  although  the  storm  is  near, 

The  wild  wind's  contumely; 
But  faithful  is  Jehovah's  word, 
"  I  will  be  with  thee,"  saith  the  Lord. 

Change  is  our  portion  here  I 

Youth's  smooth,  unwrinkled  brow 
Age  soon  shall  furrow,  and  the  tear 

Down  the  fair  cheek  shall  flow; 
But  faithful  is  Jehovah's  word, 
"  I  will  be  with  thee,"  saith  the  Lord. 

Change  is  our  portion  here! 

Soon  fades  the  summer  sky. 
The  landscape  droops  in  autumn  sear, 

And  spring  flowers  bloom  to  die; 
But  faithful  is  Jehovah's  word, 
"  I  will  be  with  thee,"  saith  the  Lord. 

Change  is  our  portion  here ! 

E'en  in  the  heavenly  road; 
In  faith,  and  hope,  and  holy  fear, 

In  love  toward  our  God; 
Too  oft  distrust  Jehovah's  word, 
"  I  will  be  with  thee,"  saith  the  Lord. 

Change  is  our  portion  here! 

Yet,  'midst  our  changing  lot, 
'Midst  with'ring  flowers  and  tempests  drear, 

There  is  —  that  changes  not; 
Unchangeable  Jehovah's  word, 
"  I  will  be  with  thee,"  saith  the  Lord. 

Changeless,  the  way  of  peace; 

Changeless,  Immanuel's  name; 
Changeless,  the  covenant  of  grace; 

Eternity  the  same: 
"  I  change  not,"  is  a  Father's  word, 
"  I  am  thy  portion,"  saith  the  Lord. 

Mr.  Evans'  hymn 

Faint  not.  Christian,  though  the  road, 
is  found  in  some  modem  collections. 


144  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOHN  LAWSON. 

1787-1825. 

After  his  decease  this  devoted  servant  of  Christ  was 
generally  known  by  his  friends  as  "  the  beloved  Law- 
son."  There  is  in  these  words  a  beautiful  testimony 
to  the  gentle,  affectionate  spirit  of  the  man.  He  was 
born  at  Trowbridge,  Wiltsliire,  July  24,  1787.  Dis- 
playing a  genius  for  wood  carving,  he  was  sent  to 
London,  in  1803,  to  be  articled  to  a  wood  engraver. 
In  1806,  he  joined  the  Baptist  church  in  Eagle  Street, 
and  shortly  afterward,  his  thoughts  being  directed  to 
the  subject  of  Christian  Missions,  it  occurred  to  him 
that  in  matters  connected  with  his  own  calling  he 
might  be  of  use  in  the  mission  field.  He  offered  him- 
self to  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  and  in  1810,  he 
set  sail  for  America,  on  his  way  to  India.  Various  cir- 
cumstances detained  him  in  the  United  States  for  more 
than  a  year,  during  which  time  he  preached  in  many 
churches  with  great  acceptance.  Arriving  at  Seram- 
pore  in  1812,  he  soon  rendered  essential  service  in  the 
printing  office  and  school.  Subsequently  he  became 
pastor  of  Baptist  churches  in  Calcutta,  and  devoted 
much  of  his  time  to  the  work  of  education.  He  was 
well  skilled  in  music,  and  composed  a  number  of  tunes, 
which  became  popular  in  England  and  America,  as 
well  as  in  India.  His  knowledge  of  natural  history 
was  extensive.  But  his  favorite  recreation  was  poeti- 
cal composition.  Between  the  j^ears  1820,  and  1825,  he 
published  four  works  of  this  kind,  "  Orient  Harping," 
"  Female  Influence,"  "  The  Lost  Spirit,"  and  "  Roland." 
Beside  these,  he  left  behind  him  a  manuscript  vol- 
ume of  miscellaneous  poems,  afterward  printed. 
During  the  last  three  years  of  his  life  Mr.  Lawson 
acted '  as  agent  of  the  American  Baptist  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions.  He  died  in  Calcutta,  October  22, 
1825. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  145 

The  following  hymns  by   Mr.    Lawson  are   in   the 
Baptist  "  New  Selection"  (1828) : 

"  Father  of  mercies,  condescend," 

"  Fountain  of  truth,  and  grace,  and  power." 

Two  hymns  by  Mr.  Lawson  are  in  the  Compreher« 
sive  edition  of  Rippon's  "Selection": 

"While  in  tlie  howling  shades  of  death, 

and  the  following : 

Europe,  speak  the  mighty  name, 
Loud  th'  eternal  Three  proclaim; 
Let  thy  deep,  seraphic  lays 
Thunder  forth  the  echoing  praise. 
Asia,  bring  thy  raptured  songs ; 
Let  innumerable  tongues 
Swell  the  chord  from  shore  to  shore, 
Where  thy  thousand  billows  roar. 

Sable  Afric,  aid  the  strain, 
Triumph  o'er  the  broken  chain; 
Bid  thy  wildest  music  raise 
All  its  fervor  in  his  praise. 
Shout,  America,  thy  joys, 
While  his  love  thy  song  employs; 
Let  thy  lovely  wilderness 
High  exalt  his  righteousness. 

All  as  one  adore  the  Lord  — 
Father,  Spirit,  and  the  Word ; 
Hail,  thou  glorious  Three  in  one, 
Worthy  thou  to  reign  alone. 
Praise  him,  all  ye  nations,  praise ; 
Saints  in  heaven,  your  anthems  raise; 
Angels,  join  the  solemn  chord  — 
Reign,  forever,  holy  Lord. 

10 


146  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOHN  TYERS. 

1788-1848. 

A  few  miles  from  the  town  of  Loughborough,  in 
Leicestershire,  is  the  village  of  Wymeswold,  where  for 
a  number  of  years  the  celebrated  Dean  Alford  was  the 
respected  clergyman.  Here  John  Tyers  was  born, 
October  14,  1788.  Not  long  after,  he  removed  to 
Loughborough,  where,  at  length,  he  entered  into 
business  as  a  lace  manufacturer.  In  1835,  he  removed 
to  Leicester,  and  here  he  kept  a  chemist's  shop  until 
his  death,  September  11,  1848. 

Mr.  Tyers  was  a  member  of  the  General  Baptist 
connection,  and  was  widely  known  and  much  esteemed. 
Though  never  the  pastor  of  a  church,  he  was  fre- 
quently engaged  in  preaching,  and  his  services  as  a 
preacher  were  much  valued.  Seven  of  his  hymns 
were  in  the  General  Baptist  Hymn  Book  of  1830,  and 
two  are  in  the  "Baptist  Hymnal."  Beside  these  Mr. 
Tyers  was  the  author  of  a  number  of  hymns  for  Sun- 
day-schools, which  appeared  in  the  Sunday-school 
hymn  books  of  his  day,  but  are  no  longer  in  use.  The 
following  is  No.  776  in  the  English  "  Baptist  Hymnal  ": 

Great  God,  avow  this  house  thine  own; 
Here  let  thy  power  and  love  be  known  — 

Thy  ark  of  mercy  rest; 
Of  old  thou  didst  in  Zion  dwell, 
O  let  each  mount  of  Zion  still 

Be  with  thy  presence  blast. 

Oft  as  in  solemn,  fervent  prayer, 
And  holy  adoration  here, 

Th;y  samts  together  join; 
Hear  thou  on  thy  eternal  throne 
And  send  the  varied  blessings  down, 

In  streams  of  love  divine. 

Here  may  the  mourner  find  relief; 
A  balm  for  all  his  inward  grief, 
When  doubts  and  fears  annoy; 


AN'D  THEIR  HYMNS.  147 

Beauty  for  ashes  here  bestow; 
Garments  of  praise  for  heavy  woe; 
And  peace  and  holy  joy. 

Here  may  the  plants  of  righteousness, 
Deep  rooted  in  the  Savior's  grace, 

In  due  succession  rise; 
Blessing  the  fruits  of  faith  divine, 
And  with  increasing  beauty  shine, 

Till  ripened  for  the  skies. 

Then  in  thy  nobler  courts  above. 
High  seated  on  the  mount  of  love, 

Where  blissful  numbers  roll. 
Praises  in  loftier  strains  shall  flow; 
While  pleasures,  such  as  angels  know, 

Shall  swell  each  raptured  soul. 


JOHN  HOWARD  HINTON. 

1791-1873. 

Mr.  Hinton"  was  the  son  of  Rev.  James  Hinton, 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Oxford,  where  he  was 
born  March  24,  1791.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of 
Isaac  Taylor,  an  eminent  engraver,  and  a  friend  of  the 
philanthropist,  John  Howard.  As  the  latter  was  about 
to  leave  England  on  his  last  journey,  he  said  to  his 
friend's  daughter,  "I  have  now  no  son  of  my  own;  if 
ever  you  have  one,  pray  call  him  after  me."  She  re- 
membered his  words,  and  her  eldest  son  received  the 
name,  John  Howard.  During  his  student  life  Mr. 
Hinton  devoted  himself  at  first  to  medicine,  but  hav- 
ing decided  to  enter  the  Christian  ministry,  he  con- 
nected himself  with  Bristol  College,  where  he 
remained  two  yeass.  In  1813,  he  entered  the  Uni- 
versity at  Edinburgh.  Having  finished  his  university 
course,  he  accepted  a  call,  in  1816,  to  the  pastorate  of 


148  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

the  Baptist  church  in  Haverford-west,  Pembrokeshire. 
About  the  year  1820,  he  removed  to  Reading.  In 
1837,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Dev- 
onshire Square,  Bishopsgate,  London.  His  influence, 
ah^eady  widely  felt  in  the  denomination,  was  greatly 
extended  during  this  pastorate,  which  continued  until 
1863.  The  foreign  missionary  enterprise  had  in  him 
a  most  earnest  friend  and  advocate.  The  interests  of 
the  Baptist  Union  were  also  greatly  fostered  by  him. 

Among  his  numerous  works  are  "Athanasia;  or 
Four  Books  on  Immortality";  "Letters  Written  in 
Holland  and  North  Germany";  "Memoirs  of  William 
Knibb";  "A  History  of  the  United  States  of  North 
America";  "Inspiration";  "An  Exposition  of  the 
Epistle  to  the  Romans  on  the  Principle  of  Scripture 
Parallelism";  "Theology,  or  an  Attempt  toward  a 
Conservative  View  of  the  Whole  Counsel  of  God"; 
"  On  the  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  Conversion "; 
"Elements  of  Natural  History";  "Individual  Effort, 
and  the  Active  Christian ";  "  The  Harmony  of  the 
Religious  Truth  and  the  Human  Reason";  "On  Man's 
Responsibility";  "On  Acquaintance  with  God";  "On 
God's  Government  of  Man";  "On  Redemption,"  etc., 
beside  numerous  sermons  and  pamphlets.  His  theo- 
logical works  he  brought  together,  and  published  in 
seven  volumes,  in  1864-5. 

He  was  also  the  author  of  several  hundred  hymns, 
prepared  for  the  most  part  for  use  in  connection  with 
his  sermons.  His  "Hymns  by  a  Minister,"  a  collec- 
tion of  one  hundred  and  sixteen  original  hymns,  ap- 
peared in  1833 ;  some  were  printed  in  connection 
with  his  Theological  Lectures.  A  few  of  them  are 
found  in  recent  collections;  among  them 

"  Once  I  was  estranged  from  God," 
"O  thou  that  hearest,  let  our  prayer," 

and  the  followino;: 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  149 

Father  of  all,  before  thy  throne, 

Grateful,  but  anxious  parents  bow; 
Look  in  paternal  mercy  down, 

And  yield  the  boon  we  ask  thee  now. 

'T  is  not  for  wealth,  or  joys  of  earth, 

Or  life  prolonged  we  seek  thy  face ; 
'T  is  for  a  new  and  heavenly  birth, 

'T  is  for  the  treasures  of  thy  grace. 

'T  is  for  their  souls'  eternal  joy, 

Por  rescue  from  the  common  woe ; 
Do  not  our  earnest  suit  deny. 

We  cannot,  cannot,  let  thee  go. 


DAVID  DENHAM. 

1791-1848. 

Concerning  this  h^ann  writer,  but  little  seems  to  be 
known.  He  was  born  April  12,  1791.  Having  en- 
tered upon  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry,  he  was 
settled  at  Reading,  Bath,  Plymouth,  Birmingham, 
Margate  (London)  and  at  Cheltenham.  In  1837,  he 
published  a  collection  of  hymns  entitled  "  The  Saints' 
Melody,"  containing  one  thousand  seventy-six  hymns, 
to  which  a  supplement  was  afterward  added.  About 
seventy  of  these  hymns  were  written  by  Mr.  Denham, 
wishing,  as  he  says,  to  speak  as  a  witness  for  God, 

And  sing  to  the  praise  of  his  grace 
Who  saved  a  sinner  like  me. 

The  best  known  of  these  hymns  by  Mr.  Denham  is  the 
following  (740),  entitled  "  The  Saint's  Sweet  Home  ": 

'Mid  scenes  of  confusion  and  creature  complaints. 
How  sweet  to  my  soul  is  communion  with  saints; 
To  find  at  the  banquet  of  mercy  there's  room, 
And  feel  in  the  presence  of  Jesus  at  home! 

Home,  home,  sweet,  sweet  home, 

Keceive  me,  dear  Savior,  in  glory. 


150  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Sweet  hands  that  unite  all  the  children  of  peace, 
And  thrice  precious  Jesus,  whose  love  cannot  cease; 
Though  oft  from  thy  presence  in  sadness  I  roam, 
I  long  to  behold  thee,  in  glory,  at  home. 

I  sigh  from  this  body  of  sin  to  be  free, 
Which  hinders  my  joy  and  communion  with  thee, 
Though  now  my  temptations  like  billows  may  foam. 
All,  all  will  be  peace  when  I  'm  with  thee  at  home. 

While  here  in  the  valley  of  conflict  I  stay, 

0  give  me  submission  and  strength  as  my  day; 
In  all  my  afflictions  to  thee  would  I  come, 
Eejoicing  in  hope  of  my  glorious  home. 

What'er  thou  deniest,  O  give  me  thy  grace  1 
The  Spirit's  true  witness,  and  smiles  of  thy  face; 
Indulge  me  with  patience  to  wait  at  thy  throne. 
And  find,  even  now,  a  sweet  foretaste  of  home. 

1  long,  dearest  Lord,  in  thy  beauties  to  shine, 
ITo  more  as  an  exile  in  sorrow  to  pine ; 

But  in  thy  fair  image  arise  from  the  tomb. 
With  glorified  millions  to  praise  thee,  at  home. 

Mr.  Denham  died  December  8,  1848. 


WILLIAM  GROSER. 

1791-1856. 

He  was  born  in  London,  August  12,  1791.  His 
parents  were  members  of  the  Eagle  Street  Baptist 
church,  and  his  father  some  years  later  having  been 
licensed  to  preach  by  that  church,  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  Watford,  where  he  entered  upon  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Baptist  church  in  that  place.  Like  many 
another  Baptist  pastor  of  his  day,  he  eked  out  his 
support  by  keeping  a  school,  in  which  he  had  the 
assistance  of  his  son.  The  latter  was  converted  when 
about  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  commenced  a  course 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  151 

of  study  preparatory  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  min- 
istry. He  preached  his  first  sermon  in  1811,  and  two 
years  later  he  was  invited  to  take  the  pastoral  charge 
of  the  Baptist  church  at  Princes  Risborough.  In  1819, 
he  removed  to  Battle,  Sussex,  and  a  year  later  he  set^ 
tied  at  Maidstone,  where  he  remained  nineteen  years. 
He  then  went  to  London,  where  he  edited  the  Baptist 
Magazine,  and  engaged  in  other  literary  labors.  In 
1848,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Chelsea,  but  resigned  in  1851,  to  take  the  secretary- 
ship of  the  Irish  Society.  He  died  August  6,  1856, 
after  a  useful  and  laborious  life,  and  greatly  beloved  by 
a  wide  circle  of  friends. 

Mr.  Groser  was  the  compiler  of  "A  Selection  of 
Hymns  "  without  date,  designed  chiefly  for  the  use  of 
Baptist  churches  in  Jamaica,  and  he  was  the  author  of 
the  following  hymn  ("  Selection  of  Hymns  for  the  use 
of  Baptist  Congregations,"  1838,  and  also  Spurgeon's 
"  Our  Own  Hymn  Book,"  1866  :) 

Praise  the  Kedeemer,  almighty  to  save, 
Immanuel  has  triumphed  o'er  death  and  the  gravel 
Sing,  for  the  door  of  the  dungeon  is  open; 
The  Captive  came  forth  at  the  dawn  of  the  day. 
How  vain  the  precaution!  the  signet  is  broken; 
The  watchmen  in  terror  have  fled  far  away. 
Praise  the  Kedeemer,  etc. 

Praise  to  the  Conqueror,  oh  tell  of  his  love! 
In  pity  to  mortals  he  came  from  above. 
Who  shall  rebuild  for  the  tyrant  his  prison  ? 
The  scepter  lies  broken  that  fell  from  his  hands ; 
His  dominion  is  ended;  the  Lord  is  arisen; 
The  helpless  shall  soon  be  released  from  their  bands. 
Praise  the  Eedeemer,  etc. 

This  hymn  was  written  by  Mr.  Groser  during  his 
pastorate  at  Maidstone,  and  was  sung  at  his  funeral 
service. 

There  is  another  hymn  in  "  Selection  of  Hymns  " 
(620),  which  is  also  ascribed  to  Mr.  Groser,  commencing 

Whither  can  a  sinner  flee. 


152  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JAMES  SLATTER. 

1791  (?)-1862. 

James  Slatter  was  a  tradesman  in  Oxford,  where 
he  was  born,  it  is  believed,  in  the  year  1791.  The 
exact  date  is  unknown.  He  was  for  many  years  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  in  New  Road,  Oxford, 
and  was  active  in  the  Sunday-school,  but  in  his  latter 
days  he  attended  the  Congregational  chapel.  He  was 
literary  in  his  tastes,  and  was  the  author  of  a  book, 
printed  for  private  circulation,  entitled  "Rural  Pic- 
tures." He  also  wrote  many  hymns,  two  of  which 
appeared  in  the  Baptist  "New  Selection"  (1828). 
One  of  these  is  in  "  Psalms  and  Hymns,"  and  is  prob- 
ably the  only  one  now  in  use.  The  other  is  a  Sunday- 
school  hymn,  commencing 

Great  God,  to  thee  a  lowly  band. 

Mr.  Slatter  died  in  Oxford,  May  22,  1862,  in  his  sev- 
enty-second year.  The  first  of  the  hymns  mentioned 
above  is  herewith  given  in  full : 

Though  nature's  temple,  large  and  wide, 

Kesounds  with  joyful  lays, 
From  creatures  taught  to  swell  the  tide 

Of  their  Creator's  praise:  — 

A  fairer  habitation  greets 

The  Christian's  joyful  eye. 
Where  Christ  his  new-born  wishes  meets, 

And  lifts  his  hopes  on  high ; 

A  calm  asylum  for  the  soul, 

With  guilt  and  fear  opprest, 
Where  mercy  waits,  as  seasons  roll, 

To  give  the  weary  rest. 

The  still  small  voice  of  heavenly  love, 

Here  calls  our  thoughts  away 
To  purer  joys,  that  shine  above 

The  influence  of  decay. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  153 

"While  faith,  with  undiverted  eyes, 

Through  all  the  storms  of  time, 
Elated  views  the  glorious  prize 

Of  heaven's  eternal  clime. 

Lord!  with  delight  my  constant  feet 

To  thine  abode  would  come; 
Till  death  my  willing  soul  shall  meet, 

And  gently  waft  it  home. 


GEORGE  FRANCIS. 


I  have  been  able  to  glean  only  a  few  facts  concern- 
ing Mr.  Francis.  He  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  Snow's  Fields,  Southwark,  London,  and  had  a  large 
following  in  his  time.  In  his  doctrinal  position  he  is 
said  to  have  occupied  like  grounds  with  John  Stevens 
and  Dr.  Gill.  In  1824,  he  published  a  collection  of 
hymns,  principally  for  the  use  of  his  own  congregation. 
Sixteen  of  the  eight  hundred  and  eight  hymns  in  this 
collection  were  by  Mr.  Francis,  including  the  follow- 
ing(127): 

Cast  on  this  earth  a  feeble  worm, 
Where  grief  and  pain  in  varied  form, 

Hard  press  on  every  side; 
My  only  refuge  from  despair. 
Is  the  assurance  God  is  near. 
And  surely  will  provide. 

■*  Should  darkness  all  his  steps  surround, 

My  feeble  reason  quite  confound. 

And  his  deep  counsels  hide; 
He  in  the  whirlwind  and  the  storms, 
His  righteous,  sov'reign  plan  performs, 

And  will  for  me  provide. 


154  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Ye  poor,  who  live  upon  his  care, 
Like  birds  that  wing  the  ambient  air, 

Whate'er  may  you  betide; 
Distrust  not  his  all-bounteous  hand, 
Tho'  weak  you  are  a  chosen  band; 

He  will  for  you  provide. 

When  clouds  jind  rains  and  threat'ning  ski^s, 
At  distance  place  pure  harvest  joys, 

In  heavenly  love  confide; 
His  truth  is  firm  and  will  prevail, 
Nor  seed,  nor  harvest  time  shall  fail, 

Jehovah  will  provide. 

Yes,  days  of  clouds  and  rain  are  gone, 
The  sun  delights  his  course  to  run. 

And  pour  his  glories  wide; 
Hence  from  this  present  joyful  hour, 
My  faitli.  shall  rest  upon  that  Power, 

Who  can  and  will  provide. 


THOMAS  RIPPON. 

1825. 

In  the  Comprehensive  edition  of  Rippon's  "Selec- 
tion" there  is  the  following  hymn  (135)  by  this  author: 

Aid  me,  O  Christ,  thy  cross  to  sing! 

Its  sovereign  virtues  who  can  tell  ? 
It  takes  a  worm  defiled  with  sin, 

And  makes  him  meet  with  God  to  dwell! 

Brought  near  thy  cross,  my  soul  shall  melt, 
And  flow  in  streams  of  joy  and  grief; 

For  here  my  sins  will  all  be  felt. 
And  here  's  full  prospect  of  relief. 

The  wrath  of  God  by  it 's  appeased; 

His  holy  law  is  magnified; 
Unbending  justice  is  well  pleased; 

And  heaven  to  earth  again  allied. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  155 

In  virtue  of  its  untold  worth 
What  glories  gild  the  heavenly  plains! 

What  blessings  have  come  down  on  earth 
Such  as  surpass  e'en  Gabriel's  strains! 

Around  this  cross  the  angels  crowd, 

Intent  new  wonders  to  explore; 
And  raptured,  all  exclaim,  "  Of  God 

We  never  saw  so  much  before!  " 

This  cross  a  sinking  world  upholds; 

Its  power  subdues  death,  hell,  and  sin; 
High  heaven's  bright  gates  it  wide  unfolds, 

And  ushers  happy  millions  in. 

In  a  supplement  to  the  twenty-seventh  edition  of 
the  "Selection,"  the  following  date  is  appended  to 
this  hymn:  "Edinburgh,  February  22,  1822."  Then, 
there  is  a  note  by  Dr.  Rippon,  in  which  he  speaks 
of  the  writer  as  "an  amiable  and  endearing  young 
minister,  whose  talents  could  be  surpassed  by  his  piety 
only."  Thomas  Rippon  was  a  nephew  of  Dr.  Rippon. 
He  studied  at  Edinburgh,  where  he  took  the  degree  of 
M.A.  In  1825,  he  received  an  invitation  to  supply 
the  Baptist  church  at  Two  Waters,  near  Hemel  Hemp- 
stead, but  died  suddenly  on  the  third  of  June  that 
year,  in  the  thirty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  leaving  a 
widow,  who  survived  him  some  years.  The  exact 
date  of  his  birth  is  unknown. 


EDWARD  MOTE. 

1797-1874. 

The  author  of 

My  hope  is  built  on  nothing  less 
Than  Jesus'  blood  and  righteousness 

was  born  in  Upper  Thames  Street,  London,  January 
21,   1797.     His  parents  kept  a  public-house,  and  he 


156  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

went  astray,  he  tells  us,  from  his  youth.  "My  Sab- 
baths," he  says,  "were  spent  in  the  streets  at  play. 
So  io-norant  was  I  that  I  did  not  know  there  was  a 

O 

God."  At  length  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  cabinet 
maker.  During  his  apprenticeship,  it  is  thought,  he 
was  in  the  habit  of  visiting  several  places  of  worship, 
since  among  his  papers  was  found  an  account  of  his 
hearing,  in  1813,  to  his  eternal  good,  a  somewhat  cel- 
ebrated preacher  of  that  day.  Rev.  John  Hyatt,  one 
of  Lady  Huntingdon's  adherents,  who  at  that  time 
preached  at  Tottenham  Court^road  Chapel,  and  the 
Tabernacle,  Moorfields.  xSot  long  after,  he  joined  the 
church  of  which  Alexander  Fletcher,  author  of  "  Fam- 
ily Devotions,"  was  pastor;  but  not  finding  satisfac- 
tion in  his  ministry,  he  united  with  the  church  under 
the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  John  Bayley,  by  whom 
he  was  baptized  November  1,  1815.  After  one  or  two 
other  changes,  he  removed  to  Southwark,  where  he 
engaged  in  his  business  as  a  cabinet  maker,  at  the 
same  time  employing  his  pen  as  a  writer  for  the  press. 

In  1852,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Horsham,  Sussex,  where  his  ministry  was  greatly 
blessed  in  the  conversion  of  souls.  He  was  so  largely 
instrumental  in  securing  the  house  of  worship  occu- 
pied by  the  church  that  the  members,  from  a  feeling 
of  gratitude,  proposed  to  make  the  property  his  own; 
but  he  refused  the  gift,  saying,  "I  do  not  want  the 
chapel,  I  only  want  the  pulpit;  and  when  I  cease  to 
preach  Christ,  then  turn  me  out  of  that."  He  was 
never  prevented  from  preaching  by  illness,  or  any 
other  cause,  for  a  single  Lord's-day. 

In  June,  1873,  his  health  began  to  fail,  and  he  was 
unable  to  study  and  prepare  his  sermons  as  he  had 
been  wont  to  do.  He  then  called  a  meeting  of  the 
church,  and  made  known  to  his  brethren  his  inability 
to  retain  his  position  as  pastor  longer.  He  continued, 
however,  to  aid  the  church  by  securing  supplies,  and 
was  present,  also,  at  the   pubhc  ministrations  of  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  157 

word.  In  the  summer  of  the  following  year  his  hefJth 
still  further  declined,  and  he  said  to  those  about  him, 
"I  think  I  am  going  to  heaven";  and  again,  "Near- 
ing  port."  To  one  he  said,  "  The  truths  I  have 
preached  I  am  now  living  upon ;  and  they  will  do  to 
die  upon."  The  day  before  he  died  he  spoke  of  the 
"  precious  blood,  precious  blood,  which  takes  away  all 
our  sins ;  it  is  this  makes  peace  with  God."  Novem- 
ber 13,  1874,  he  peacefully  passed  to  his  rest  and  re- 
ward, and  a  few  days  later  he  was  buried  in  the  little 
graveyard  in  the  rear  of  Rehoboth  chapel,  Horsham, 
amid  the  tears  of  those  to  whom  he  had  so  lovingly 
ministered. 

In  1836,  Mr.  Mote  published  the  first  edition  of  a 
collection  of  hymns  entitled  "  Hymns  of  Praise."  It 
contained  six  hundred  and  six  hymns,  including  many 
by  the  compiler.     The  hymn. 

My  hope  is  built  on  nothing  less, 

is  the  465th.  The  hymn  first  appeared,  however,  in 
Rees'  collection,  and  on  this  account  it  has  sometimes 
been  attributed  to  Rees.  The  author,  however,  vindi- 
cated his  claim  in  the  Gospel  Herald  and  Voice  of 
Truth.     As  first  published,  the  hymn  was  as  follows : 

N'or  earth,  nor  hell,  my  soul  can  move, 
I  rest  upon  unchanging  love; 
I  dare  not  trust  the  sweetest  frame, 
But  wholly  lean  on  Jesus'  name; 
On  Christ,  the  solid  Rock,  I  stand, 
All  other  ground  is  sinking  sand. 

My  hope  is  built  on  nothing  less 
Than  Jesus'  blood  and  righteousness; 
'Midst  all  the  hell  I  feel  within, 
On  his  completed  work  I  lean; 
On  Christ,  the  solid  Rock,  I  stand, 
All  other  ground  is  sinking  sand. 


158  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

When  darkness  veils  his  lovely  face, 
I  rest  upoa  unchanging  grace; 
In  every  rough  and  stormy  gale, 
My  anchor  holds  within  the  veil; 
On  Christ,  the  solid  Rock,  I  stand, 
All  other  ground  is  sinking  sand. 

His  oath,  his  cov'nant,  and  his  blood, 
Support  me  in  the  sinking  flood; 
When  all  around  my  soul  gives  way, 
He  then  is  all  my  hope  and  stay. 
On  Christ,  the  solid  Rock,  I  stand. 
All  other  ground  is  sinking  sand. 

I  trust  his  righteous  character, 
His  council,  promise,  and  his  power; 
His  honor  and  his  name's  at  stake 
To  save  me  from  the  burning  lake; 
On  Christ,  the  solid  Rock,  I  stand, 
All  other  ground  is  sinking  sand. 

When  I  shall  launch  in  worlds  unseen, 
O  may  I  then  be  found  in  him, 
Dress'd  in  his  righteousness  alone, 
Faultless  to  stand  before  the  throne. 
On  Christ,  the  solid  Rock,  I  stand. 
All  other  ground  is  sinking  sand. 

Mr.  Mote  informed  Mr.  Miller  ("  Singers  and  Songs 
of  the  Church")  that  the  refrain  of  the  hymn  came 
into  his  mind  one  morning  as  he  was  walking  up  Hol- 
born  Hill,  London,  on  his  way  to  work,  about  the  year 
1834.  Four  stanzas  were  soon  written,  and  two  more 
on  the  following  Sunday.  They  were  of  immediate 
use  in  affording  comfort  to  a  dying  friend  ;  and  they 
have  since  ministered  a  like  comfort  to  multitudes  in 
many  lands.  A  good  deacon,  recently,  Avho,  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health,  was  not  able  longer  to  meet  with 
his  brethren  in  the  place  of  public  prayer,  sent  a  mes- 
sage to  them,  saying  that  what  he  would  give  as  his 
testimony,  were  he  present,  was  expressed  in  the  words 
of  the  hymn, 

My  hope  is  built  on  nothing  less 
Than  Jesus'  blood  and  righteousness. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  159 

Among  the  last  words  of  the  well  known  evangel- 
ist, Rev.  Jacob  Knapp,  familiarly  known  as  "Elder 
Knapp,"  were  these:  "Oh,  I  have  come  to  the  ever- 
lasting hills ! 

On  Christ,  the  solid  Rock,  I  stand, 
All  other  crround  is  sinkini;  sand.  " 


CORNELIUS  ELVEN. 

1797-1873. 

Mr.  El  yen  was  born  at  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  Suf- 
folk, February  12,  1797.  His  parents  were  Congre- 
gationalists,  but  having  adopted  Baptist  principles,  he 
was  baptized  May  6,  1821,  and  united  with  the  Baptist 
church  in  his  native  place.  Two  years  later,  on  the 
retirement  of  the  pastor,  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  church,  and  was  ordained  in  July,  1823.  For 
nearly  forty-nine  years  he  ministered  to  this  people, 
greatly  beloved  by  all,  and  an  earnest  friend  of  every 
good  cause.  During  this  time,  his  church  increased 
from  forty  members  to  over  six  hundred.  He  was 
warmly  attached  to  Mr.  Spurgeon,  occasionally  preached 
for  him,  and  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Elven's  death,  Mr. 
Spurgeon  paid  a  worthy  tribute  to  his  memory.  He 
died  August  10,  1873,  among  the  people  for  whom  he 
had  so  long  labored. 

In  January,  1852,  there  was  a  revival  in  Mr.  Elven's 
church,  and  among  other  hymns  which  he  wrote  to  be 
used  at  the  services,  were  the  following  stanzas,  which 
have  found  their  way  into  many  recent  collections : 

With  broken  heart  and  contrite  sigh, 
A  trembling  sinner,  Lord,  I  cry; 
Thy  pardoning  grace  is  rich  and  free; 
O  God,  be  merciful  to  me  I 


160  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

I  smite  upon  my  troubled  breast, 
With  deep  and  conscious  guilt  opprest; 
Christ  and  his  cross  ray  only  plea; 
O  God,  be  merciful  to  me! 

Far  off  I  stand  with  tearful  eyes. 
Nor  dare  uplift  them  to  the  skies ; 
But  thou  dost  all  my  anguish  see; 
O  God,  be  merciful  to  me  I 

And  when,  redeemed  from  sin  and  hell, 
With  all  the  ransomed  throng  I  dwell, 
My  raptured  song  shall  ever  be, 
God  hath  been  merciful  to  me! 


JOSEPH  HARBOTTLE. 

1798-1864. 

Joseph  Harbottle  was  born  at  Tottlebank,  Ulver- 
ton,  in  North  Lancashire,  September  25,  1798.  His 
father  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Tottlebank 
between  forty  and  fifty  years.  He  was  baptized  and 
united  with  his  father's  church  in  1819.  In  early  life 
he  was  very  fond  of  classical  literature,  and  made 
great  progress  in  the  acquisition  of  Latin,  Greek  and 
Hebrew.  Rev.  Dr.  Steadman  was  then  tutor  in  the 
Baptist  college  at  Horton,  near  Bradford,  and  in  1822, 
Mr.  Harbottle,  having  begun  to  preach,  went  to  reside 
in  Dr.  Steadman's  family,  and  for  a  time  acted  as  clas- 
sical teacher  to  the  students.  In  1823,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Accrington,  a  position 
he  filled  with  honor  and  usefulness  for  many  years. 
In  1840,  Rev.  D.  Griffiths  and  himself  became  co-pas- 
tors of  the  church,  and  tutors  of  a  Baptist  college, 
which  was  commenced  at  Accrington,  Mr.  Harbottle 
being  classical  and  Hebrew  tutor.     But  in  1848,  this 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  161 

college  was  given  up,  and  Mr.  Harbottle  accepted  a 
pastorate  at  Oswaldtwistle,  near  Accrington,  and  for 
more  than  a  year  ministered  to  a  newly  formed  church. 
He  died  January  19,  18G4. 

Mr.  Harbottle  was  the  author  of  several  hymns,  of 
which  one  was  especially  well  known,  and  sung  in 
Lancashire,  commencing 

Farewell,  my  friends  beloved, 

Time  passes  fleetly; 
When  moments  are  improved 

Time  passes  sweetly. 

The  lines  were  written  to  take  the  place  of  Bunyan's 
"Hobgoblin"  hymn,  and  to  the  same  tune.  His  best 
and  most  familiar  hymn  is  the  following  ("The  Psalm- 
ist," 458): 

See  how  the  fruitless  fig-tree  stands 

Beneath  the  owner's  frown; 
The  axe  is  lifted  in  his  hands, 

To  cut  the  cumberer  down. 

"  Year  after  year,  I  come,"  he  cries, 

And  still  no  fruit  is  shown ; 
I  see  but  empty  leaves  arise; 
Then  cut  the  cumberer  down. 

"  The  axe  of  death,  at  one  sharp  stroke, 

Shall  make  my  justice  known; 
Each  bough  shall  tremble  at  the  shock 

Which  cuts  the  cumberer  down." 

Sinner,  beware!  —  the  axe  of  death 

Is  raised  and  aimed  at  thee ; 
Awhile  thy  Maker  spares  thy  breath ; 

Beware,  O  barren  tree! 

This  hymn  as   originally  published   had   an   added 
stanza  (Nippon's  "  Selection  "  with  additions,  581.) 

11 


162  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

JOHN  STENSON. 


Concerning  Rev.  John  Stenson  I  can  learn  only  that 
he  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church,  worshiping  in 
Carmel  Chapel,  Westbourne  Street,  Pimlico,  London, 
and  that  in  1838,  he  published  "  The  Baptist's  Hymn 
Book,"  of  which  hymns  921-1,028  were  by  Mr. 
Stenson.     The  following  is  943  in  this  collection : 

Assist  us,  Lord,  we  pray, 

To  call  upon  tliy  name ; 
And  while  within  thy  courts  we  stay, 

Thy  glory  be  our  aim. 

Descend  thou  Dove  divine, 

With  all  thy  quickening  powers ; 
Upon  thy  gathered  people  shine, 

And  crown  these  sacred  hours. 

Dear  Savior,  let  us  see 

Thy  ever  lovely  face; 
Our  captive  minds  from  sin  set  free, 

And  grant  supplies  of  grace. 

May  Jesus  own  his  saints. 

And  Zion  own  her  King; 
'T  is  he  who  knows  all  our  complaints, 

And  will  deliverance  bring. 

Soon  shall  our  sorrow  cease, 

And  sighs  be  heard  no  more; 
When  we  arrive  at  perfect  peace, 

Upon  the  blissful  shore. 

There  shall  we  see  our  God, 

And  join  the  song  of  praise, 
And  triumph  in  atoning  blood, 

Through  everlasting  days. 


AND  THEIR  HYMXS.  163 

EDWARD  STEANE. 

1798-1882. 

Only  one  hymn  written  by  Dr.  Steane,  appears  in 
any  printed  collection,  but  that  is  a  hymn  of  so  much 
merit,  that  for  its  sake  alone  he  should  be  included 
among  Baptist  hymn  writers.  Edward  Steane,  d.d., 
was  born  in  Oxford,  March  23,  1798.  He  was  baptized 
by  Rev.  James  Hinton,  of  whose  church  his  father 
was  a  deacon,  and  by  whom  he  was  encouraged  to 
devote  himself  to  the  Christian  ministry.  After 
receiving  a  very  complete  education  at  Bristol  and 
Edinburgh,  he  became,  in  1823,  pastor  of  a  newly 
formed  church  at  Camberwell,  in  the  suburbs  of  Lon- 
don. This  pastorate  he  retained  about  forty  ^^ears, 
although  from  1858,  onward,  when  strength  began  to 
fail,  most  of  its  active  duties  were  discharged  by  his 
honored  colleague.  Rev.  Charles  Stanford. 

Dr.  Steane  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  secre- 
taries of  the  Baptist  Union,  and  indeed  there  was 
scarcely  any  denominational  movement  of  importance 
in  which  he  did  not  take  a  leading  part.  He  was  one 
of  the  committee  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  the 
hymn  book  called  the  "New  Selection"  (1828),  in 
which  first  appeared  the  hymn  above  mentioned.  He 
was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Bible  Translation 
Society,  and  for  a  long  period  was  first  its  secretary 
and  then  its  treasurer.  The  Evangelical  Alliance 
owed  its  existence  partly  to  him,  and  for  some  years 
he  was  editor  of  the  Alliance  organ,  "  Evangelical 
Christendom."  Many  of  his  occasional  sermons  were 
printed,  and  toward  the  close  of  life  he  published  a 
volume  on  "  The  Doctrine  of  Christ  Developed  by  the 
Apostles." 

In  1862,  Dr.  Steane  went  to  reside  at  New  House 
Park,  near  Rickmansworth,  and  there  he  died.  May  8, 
1882.  He  was  buried,  amidst  many  tokens  of  love 
and  honor,  in  Norwood  Cemetery,  south-east  London. 


164  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

The  following  is  Dr.  Steane's  hymn: 

Prophetic  era!  blissful  dayl 

AVe  catch  thy  warm,  inspiring  ray, 

Which  gleams  o'er  India's  plains; 
We  hail  the  dawn  of  morning  light 
That  breaks  upon  the  gloomy  night, 

Where  superstition  reigns. 

We  hasten  thy  advance  to  meet; 
With  vivid  joy  the  sign  we  greet, 

That  brightens  in  the  sky,  — 
The  peaceful  sign  of  heavenly  love. 
Which  like  the  holy  mystic  dove, 

Declares  Messiah  nigh. 

Behold!  he  comes  in  triumph  now; 
Before  him  see  the  mountains  bow, 

And  all  the  valleys  rise; 
He  comes  with  majesty  and  grace. 
To  sanctify  the  human  race. 

And  raise  them  to  the  skies. 

We  '11  aid  thy  triumphs,  mighty  King! 
The  glories  of  thy  cross  we  '11  sing. 

And  shout  salvation  round; 
Till  every  nation,  every  laud, 
From  Greenland's  shore  to  Afric's  strand 

Shall  echo  back  the  sound. 

Let  earth  commence  the  lofty  praise ; 
Let  heaven  prolong  th'  enraptured  lays; 

Swell  every  tuneful  lyre; 
Bright  seraphs!  chant  th' immortal  song. 
And  pour  the  bounding  notes  along, 

From  heaven's  eternal  choir. 


BAPTIST  W.  NOEL. 

1799-1873. 

Hon.    and   Rev.   Baptist  Wriothesley   Noel,   a 
younger  son  of  Sir  Gerard  Noel  Edwardes,  Bart.,  and 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  165 

Diana,  daughter  of  Charles  Midclleton,  the  first  Baron 
Barham,  also  brother  of  the  Earl  of  Gainsborough, 
was  born  at  Leithmont,  near  Leith,  July  10,  1799. 
His  education  he  received  at  Trinity  College,  Cam- 
bridge, where  he  was  graduated  in  1826.  Having 
received  ordination  in  the  Church  of  England,  he  took 
charge  of  St.  John's  Chapel,  Bedford  Row,  London, 
where  he  won  distinction  as  a  preacher.  He  received 
also  an  appointment  as  one  of  the  Queen's  chaplains. 
In  1848,  having  become  convinced  of  the  scriptural- 
ness  of  Baptist  views,  he  withdrew  from  the  Church 
of  England,  and  was  baptized  in  London,  August  9, 
1849.  The  reasons  for  this  step  he  gave  in  two  works, 
"Essay  on  the  Union  of  Church  and  State"  (1848), 
and  "Essay  on  Christian  Baptism"  (1849).  In  the 
Church  of  England  he  had  occupied  a  prominent  posi- 
tion, and  his  influence  was  wielded  for  the  best  inter- 
ests of  Christianity.  In  his  new  relations  he  occupied 
a  no  less  prominent  position,  and  his  influence  was 
greatly  extended.  Soon  after  his  withdrawal  from  the 
established  church  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of 
the  John  Street  Baptist  Chapel,  London,  and  his  Sun- 
day services  were  thronged  with  eager  hearers.  Plain, 
winning,  impressive,  he  w^as  a  preacher  whom  all  de- 
lighted to  hear.  He  was  active  also  in  advancing  the 
interests  of  various  religious  and  benevolent  organiza- 
tions. Retiring  from  his  pastorate  in  1868,  his  text 
for  the  day  was  Gal.  vi.  14 :  "  God  forbid  that  I  should 
glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
He  died  Sunday  afternoon,  January  19,  1873,  in  his 
seventy-fifth  year. 

Beside  the  works  to  which  reference  has  been  made, 
Mr.  Noel  published  "Sermons  Preached  at  the  Chapels 
Royal  of  St.  James  and  Whitehall";  "Sermons  on  the 
First  Five  Centuries  of  the  Church"  (1839);  "Ser- 
mons to  the  Unconverted"  (1840);  "Protestant 
Thoughts  in  Rhyme"  (1844);  "The  Gospel  of  the 
Grace  of  God.     Illustrated  in  a  Series  of  Meditations" 


166  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

(3d  Ed.,  1845);  "Christian  Missions  to  Heathen  Na- 
tions" (1845);  "The  Case  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scot- 
knd"  (2d  Ed.,  1845);  " On  Baptismal  Regeneration"; 
"Letters  on  the  Church  of  Rome"  (1851);  "Essay  on 
the  External  Acts  of  Baptism"  (1853);  "Freedom 
and  Slavery  in  the  United  States  of  America"  (1863). 
His  "Selection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns"  was  pub- 
lished in  1832,  and  passed  through  several  editions. 
To  the  edition  of  1853,  was  added  an  appendix,  con- 
taining thirty-nine  originals,  "to  be  used  at  the  Bap- 
tism of  Believers;"  among  them 

"  "We  give  ourselves  to  thee,  O  Lord," 
"  Lord,  thou  hast  promised  to  baptize," 
"  Devoted  unto  thee," 
"  Glory  to  God,  whose  Spirit  draws." 

The  well-known  hymn. 

If  human  kindness  meets  return, 

is  sometimes  ascribed  to  him.  It  was  written  by  an 
older  brother,  Rev.  Gerard  Thomas  Noel.  One  of  the 
best  of  Baptist  Noel's  hymns  is  the  following: 

There's  not  a  bird  with  lonely  nest 
In  pathless  wood  or  mountain  crest, 
Nor  meaner  thing,  which  does  not  share, 
O  God,  in  thy  paternal  care. 

Each  barren  crag,  each  desert  rude. 
Holds  thee  within  its  solitude; 
And  thou  dost  bless  the  wanderer  there. 
Who  makes  his  solitary  prayer. 

In  busy  mart  or  crowded  street, 
No  less  than  in  the  still  retreat, 
Thou,  Lord,  art  near,  our  souls  to  bless 
With  all  a  parent's  tenderness. 

And  every  moment  still  doth  bring 
Thy  blessings  on  its  loaded  wing; 
AVidely  they  spread  through  earth  and  sky 
And  last  through  all  eternity  I 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  167 

And  we,  where'er  our  lot  is  cast, 
"While  life  and  thought  and  feeling  last, 
Through  all  our  years,  in  every  place, 
Will  bless  thee  for  thy  boundless  grace. 


ROBERT  GRACE. 
1799  . 

Rev.  Robert  Grace,  the  author  of  "  Original 
Hymns,  particularly  adapted  to  Prayer-meetings,  and 
Special  Occasions,"  and  others  which  have  appeared 
from  time  to  time  in  the  magazines  of  the  day,  was 
born  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  July  19,  1799.  He  was 
converted  at  a  very  early  age,  and  was  baptized  by 
the  late  Rev.  Thomas  Tilley,  of  Forton,  near  Gosport. 
Before  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  he  was  encouraged 
by  the  church  to  exercise  his  talents  for  preaching, 
and  after  a  course  of  study  under  pastoral  guidance, 
he  entered  upon  his  prolonged  ministry.  After  labor- 
ing for  a  short  time  as  an  agent  of  the  Home  Mission 
at  Niton,  Isle  of  Wight,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  at 
Addlestone,  Surrey,  whence  he  removed  to  Battle, 
Sussex,  where  he  served  the  church  many  years.  His 
last  pastorate  was  at  Winchcombe,  Gloucester.  He  is 
now  a  resident  of  London. 

The  first  edition  of  his  "Hymns"  was  published  at 
Northampton,  in  1853,  the  second  (much  enlarged)  in 
London,  in  1870.  Among  them  may  be  mentioned  as 
especially  noteworthy, 

"  Men  of  God,  be  up  and  doing," 

"  Come  let  us  show  our  love  to  him," 

"  Ride  forth,  victorious  Prince  of  Peace," 

"  Sleep  on,  but  not  forever," 

"  Great  God,  and  hast  thou  not  declared," 


168  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

and  the  following  (number  8) : 

Thy  people,  Lord,  are  met 

To  seek  thy  face  today ; 
And  to  thy  throne  of  grace 

Approach,  and  humbly  pray:  — 
Thy  work  of  grace  do  thou  revive, 

And  make  the  dead  in  sin  alive. 

O  hear  the  prayers  and  cries 

Which  now  to  thee  ascend, 
And  let  thy  blessing  all 

Our  future  course  attend; 
Revive  in  us  thy  work  of  grace , 

Nor  from  us  turn,  O  God,  thy  face. 

And  thou,  O  Holy  Ghost! 

Thy  influence  bestow, 
That  we  thy  will  may  do, 

That  we  in  grace  may  grow; 
Now,  Lord,  in  us  thy  work  revive, 

Thy  churches  bless,  and  make  them  thrive. 

To  thee  alone  we  look, 

And  on  thy  grace  depend ; 
Hear  our  united  cry. 

And  guide  till  life  shall  end ; 
Thy  power  and  glory  let  us  see, 

And  live  in  earnest,  —  live  to  thee. 

Mr.  Grace  is  also  the  author  of  "  Lectures  on  the 
Divinity  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  on  Antinomianism." 


GILL  TIMMS. 


Of  this  hymn  writer  very  little  is  known,  or  can 
now  be  ascertained.  He  was  living  in  1838,  —  was  a 
deacon  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Eagle  Street,  London, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  169 

and  was  for  some  time  one  of  the  editors  of  the  "  Bap- 
tist Magazine,"  to  which  he  occasionally  contributed 
pieces  in  prose  and  verse.  In  1819,  he  published  a 
volume  entitled,  "Remarks  on  God's  Foreknowledge, 
together  with  some  papers  from  the  Baptist  Magazine." 
Two  of  Mr.  Timms'  hymns  appeared  in  the  "  New 
Selection"  (1828),  from  which  they  have  been  trans- 
ferred to  other  collections.  Short  poems,  also  written 
by  him,  and  with  his  initials  appended,  are  found  in 
the  Baptist  Magazine,  with  the  following  titles  and 
dates :  "  The  Vanity  of  Literary  Attainments  without 
Religious  Knowledge"(1832);  " The  Poverty  of  Christ" 
(1833),  and  "  Submission  under  Affecting  Domestic 
Bereavements  "  (1833).      His  published  hymns  are 

Happy  the  men  whose  bliss  supreme, 

and 

Our  years  iu  quick  succession  rise. 

The  first,  in  full,  is  as  follows  : 

Happy  the  men  whose  bliss  supreme 

Flows  from  a  source  on  high; 
And  flows  in  one  perpetual  stream, 

When  earthly  springs  are  di'y. 

Contentment  makes  their  little  more, 

And  sweetens  good  possessed, 
While  faith  foretastes  the  joys  in  store, 

And  makes  them  doubly  blest. 

If  Providence  their  comforts  shrouds 

And  dark  distresses  lower, 
Hope  paints  its  rainbow  on  the  cloud, 

And  grace  shines  through  the  shower. 

What  troubles  can  these  hearts  o'erwhelm, 

Who  view  a  Savior  near  ? 
Whose  Father  sits  and  guides  the  helm, 

Whose  voice  forbids  their  fear  ? 


170  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Let  tempests  rage  and  billows  rise, 
And  mortal  tirmness  shrink; 

Their  anchor  fastens  in  the  skies; 
Their  bark  no  storm  can  sink. 

God  is  their  joy  and  portion  still, 
When  earthly  good  retires; 

And  shall  their  hearts  sustain  and  fill, 
When  earth  itself  expires. 


JAMES  LINGLEY. 

1868  (circa). 

In  the  English  Baptist  collection,  known  as  "  Psalms 
and  Hymns"  (1860),  is  a  sweet  hymn  (772)  for  a 
Lord's-day  morning  service,  commencing 

Once  more  we  leave  the  busy  road. 

The  writer  was  James  Lingley,  a  man  in  humble  cir- 
cumstances, originally  a  member  of  tlie  Baptist  church 
at  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  but  transferred,  in  1826,  to  the 
Baptist  church  in  Cotton  Street,  Poplar,  at  the  east 
end  of  London.  He  was  accustomed  to  lead  the  Sun- 
day morning  prayer-meeting,  and  for  some  time  was  a 
very  active  church  member.  The  hymn  was  first 
printed  in  the  Baptist  Magazine  for  1829.  About  the 
year  1868,  he  lay  very  ill  in  Grey's  Hospital,  and  was 
there  visited  by  Rev.  J.  T.  Wigner.  It  is  believed 
that  Mr.  Lingley  died  shortly  after  the  date  men- 
tioned. He  told  Mr.  "Wigner  that  he  had  "  tried  his 
hand  "  at  a  few  other  hymns,  but  that  this  hymn  was 
the  only  one  that  had  lived.  Notwithstanding  dili- 
gent inquiry,  it  has  been  found  impossible  to  obtain 
the  date  of  his  birth  and  death.  The  hymn  mentioned 
above  is  as  follows : 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  171 

Once  more  we  leave  the  busy  road 

Of  worldly  toil  and  care, 
To  worship  our  Redeemer,  God, 

In  his  own  house  of  prayer. 

As  strangers  in  a  land  of  woe 

"VVe  pass  our  mortal  days ; 
Yet  now  and  then  rejoicings  know 

In  God  's  own  house  of  pi-aise. 

Ye  mourning  Christians,  join  the  song, 

Your  harps  once  more  employ ; 
Remember,  as  ye  pass  along. 

This  is  the  house  of  joy. 

Dear  Savior!  in  thy  temple  shine. 

Then  shall  our  souls  be  blest; 
And  know  and  prove  the  truth  divine, 

Thine  is  a  house  of  rest. 

An  emblem  of  our  future  bliss, 

Thy  temple.  Lord,  we  love; 
"While  we  anticipate  in  this 

Our  Father's  house  above. 


AMOS  SUTTON. 

1802-1854. 

This  devoted  missionary  of  Christ,  of  humble  par- 
entage, was  born  at  Sevenoaks  in  Kent,  January  21, 
1802.  When  his  school  life  was  over,  he  was  placed 
in  a  large  business  establishment  in  the  metropolis, 
but  the  temptations  of  a  great  city  proved  too  strong 
for  him.  Returning  to  his  home  in  the  country,  the 
faithful  ministry  of  his  j)astor  was  blessed  to  his  con- 
version, and  he  was  baptized,  and  joined  the  Baptist 
church  at  Sevenoaks.  Soon  he  was  actively  employed 
in  Sunday-school  teaching,  and  other  works  of  Chris- 


172  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

tian  usefulness.  In  1823,  he  offered  himself  as  a  can- 
didate for  missionary  service  to  the  General  Baptist 
Foreign  Missionary  Society,  and  after  a  period  of  pre- 
paratory study,  he  left  England  for  India  in  August, 
1824.  His  field  of  labor  was  the  province  of  Orissa, 
to  the  west  of  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  and  here,  with  in- 
tervals of  furlough  spent  in  his  native  land  and  in 
America,  he  toiled  most  diligently  and  faithfully  until 
his  death,  August  17,  1854. 

Dr.  Sutton  compiled  an  Orissa-English  Dictionary, 
prepared  the  first  Orissa  hymn  book,  some  of  the 
hymns  being  his  own  composition,  and  translated  a 
number  of  useful  Eno-lish  books  into  the  Orissa  Ian- 
guage.  He  also  wrote  for  English  readers  "A  Narra- 
tive of  the  Orissa  Mission,"  and  other  works.  The 
honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred 
upon  him  by  Waterville  College  (now  Colby  Univer- 
sity), at  Waterville,  Maine,  U.  S.  A.  In  1833,  he  vis- 
ited the  United  States,  and  while  there  awakened  so 
much  interest  in  the  missionary  cause  as  to  prompt 
the  Freewill  Baptists  to  commence  their  mission  to 
northern  Orissa.  It  was  about  this  time  that  he  com- 
posed, to  the  tune  of  "Auld  Lang  Syne,"  a  farewell 
hymn, 

Hail,  sweetest,  clearest  tie  that  binds, 

which  soon  became  very  popular,  has  long  been  in  use 
in  the  United  States,  and  is  still  sung  in  the  General 
Baptist  churches  of  England,  especially  at  the  close  of 
missionary  services.  The  following  hymn,  entitled 
"The  Macedonian  Cry,"  written  shortly  afterward  to 
the  tune  of  "Scots,  wha  hae,"  did  not  find  so  much  fa- 
vor, and  is  now  almost  forgotten. 

Hark,  what  cry  arrests  my  ear! 
Hark,  what  accents  of  despair! 
'T  is  the  heathen's  dying  prayer, 
Priends  of  Jesus,  hear! 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  173 

Men  of  God,  to  you  we  cry, 
Rests  on  you  our  teai'ful  eye ; 
Help  us,  Christians,  or  we  die, 
Die  in  dark  despair. 

Hasten,  Christians,  haste  to  save, 
O'er  the  land,  and  o'er  the  wave; 
Dangers,  death  and  distance  brave. 
Hark,  for  help  they  call. 
Afric  bends  her  suppliant  knee, 
Asia's  woes  cry  "  Pit}^  me" 
Hark,  they  urge  the  heaven-born  plea, 
"  Jesus  died  for  all." 

Haste,  then,  spread  the  Savior's  name, 
Snatch  the  tire-brands  from  the  flame. 
Deck  his  glorious  diadem 

With  these  ransomed  souls. 
Seel  the  pagan  altars  fall. 
See!  the  Savior  reigns  o'er  all, 
"  Crown  him,  crown  him  Lord  of  all," 

Echoes  round  the  poles. 

This  is  127  in  Dr.  John  Bowling's  "Conference 
Hymns";  the  other  hymn  is  772  in  the  "Baptist 
Praise  Book." 

Dr.  Sutton's  second  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married 
in  India  in  1826,  was  an  American  lady,  who  sur- 
vived him  many  years.  He  was  an  able  and  good 
man,  whose  memory  will  long  be  fragrant. 


ELIEL  DAVIS. 

1803-1849. 

Mr.  Davis  was  son  of  a  deacon  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Folkstone,  and  was  born  June  5,  1803.  His 
father  was  a  teacher,  and  John  B.   Go  ugh,  Avho   was 


174  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

born  at  Sandgate,  about  two  miles  west  of  Folkstone, 
says  in  his  autobiograpln^,  "  My  father  paid  a  weekly 
sum  for  my  instruction  at  the  seminary  of  Mr.  Davis 
of  Folkstone."  This  was  in  1825,  and  about  this  time 
the  Baptist  church  at  Folkstone  had  as  its  pastor  Rev. 
Joseph  Belcher,  d.d.,  the  author  of  "  Historical 
Sketches  of  Hymns." 

In  1822,  Mr,  Davis  attained  a  situation  in  a  dry 
goods  store  in  London.  Here,  in  January,  1822,  he 
united  with  the  Eagle  Street  Baptist  church,  then 
under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Joseph  Ivimy,  author 
of  the  well-known  "  History  of  the  English  Baptists," 
and  a  life  of  John  Bunyan.  He  soon  began  to  exercise 
his  gifts  in  the  church  to  which  he  belonged,  and  also 
in  neighboring  villages.  At  length,  in  1826,  in  order 
to  perfect  himiself  for  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry, 
he  entered  the  Baptist  College  at  Stepney,  London. 
About  this  time  Dr.  Belcher  undertook  the  preparation 
of  the  "  Mutual  Instructor,"  a  manuscript  monthly 
designed  for  the  young  people  connected  with  his  con- 
gregation. Mr.  Davis  was  one  of  its  supporters,  and 
in  1826,  he  contributed  to  it  the  following  hymn: 

From  every  earthly  pleasure, 

From  every  transient  joy, 
From  every  mortal  treasure 

That  soon  will  fade  and  die ; 

No  longer  these  desiring, 

Upward  our  wishes  tend, 
To  nobler  bliss  aspiring, 

And  joys  that  never  end. 

What  though  we  are  but  strangers. 

And  sojourners  below, 
And  countless  snares  and  dangers 

Surround  the  path  we  go  ? 

Though  painful  and  distressing. 

Yet  there  's  a  rest  above; 
And  onward  still  we  're  pressing, 

To  reach  that  laud  of  love. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  175 

Dr.  Belcher  called  the  attention  of  a  London  pub- 
lisher to  this  hymn,  who  was  so  well  pleased  with  it 
that  he  copied  it  and  inserted  it  in  his  own  periodical, 
whence  it  found  its  way  into  the  hymn  books.  In 
this  country  it  first  appeared  in  Dr.  Joshua  Leavitt's 
"  Christian  Lyre."  It  has  a  place  in  "  Songs  for  the 
Sanctuarj^,"  and  also  in  the  "  Plymouth  Collection." 
The  beautiful  hymn, 

There  is  a  heaven  of  perfect  peace, 

is  also  attributed  to  Mr.  Davis. 

Having  completed  his  studies  at  Stepney  College, 
Mr.  Davis  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Newport,  Isle  of  Wight.  Six  years  later  he  accepted 
a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Regent  Street  Baptist 
church,  Lambeth,  London.  Here  he  remained  seven 
years.  He  then  spent  one  year  with  the  Baptist 
church  at  Eye,  Suffolk,  and  in  1842,  he  became  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  church  at  St.  Ives,  Huntingdonshire. 
This  relation  continued  until  his  death  in  March,  184:9. 


JOHN  E.  GILES. 

1805-1875. 

JoitN'  Eustace  Giles  was  a  son  of  Rev.  W.  Giles, 
and  was  born  April  20,  1805,  at  Dartmouth,  where  his 
father  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church.  His  early 
education  he  received  in  the  private  school  of  Rev. 
James  Hinton,  at  Oxford.  In  his  twentieth  year  he 
was  baptized  by  his  father,  and  became  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  at  Chatham,  of  which  his  father 
was  at  that  time  pastor.  Soon  after  he  entered  the 
Baptist  College  at  Bristol,  and  commenced  a  course  of 
study  preparatory  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  minis- 


176  BAPTIST  HYMN^  WRITERS 

try.  At  the  conclusion  of  liis  studies,  he  preached  a 
short  time  at  Haverford-west.  He  then  became  pastor 
of  the  Salter's  Hall  Chapel,  London,  where  he  was 
ordained  in  September,  1830.  From  1836,  to  1846,  he 
was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  South  Parade, 
Leeds.  During  his  pastorate  in  Leeds,  with  Dr.  Ac- 
worth,  he  visited  Hamburg  in  behalf  of  Dr.  Oncken 
and  the  persecuted  Baptists  there.  Later,  with  Rev. 
Henry  Dawson,  he  went  to  Denmark  to  plead  with 
the  king  in  behalf  of  the  Baptists  in  that  kingdom. 
He  also  took  an  active  part  in  the  Anti-Corn-Law 
struQ;o;le.  At  the  close  of  his  labors  in  Leeds  he  was 
settled  for  a  short  time  in  Bristol.  Then,  from  1847, 
for  fourteen  years,  he  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  Sheffield.  He  was  afterward  pastor  at  Rathmines, 
Dublin,  whence  he  removed  to  London,  where  he  was 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Clapham  Common  until  his 
death,  June  24,  1875.  He  possessed  pulpit  talents  of 
a  very  high  order,  and  his  life  was  one  of  very  great 
usefulness. 

Among  his  published  works  were  "  A  Funeral  Ser- 
mon on  the  Death  of  Robert  Hall,"  "  Lectures  on  So- 
cialism," "A  Lecture  on  Popery,"  "A  Circular  Letter 
on  the  Spirit  of  Faith."  He  was  also  a  contributor  to 
the  Eclectic  Review. 

The  following  baptismal  hymn,  found  in  our  best 
collections,  but  sometimes  abridged,  was  written  by 
Mr.  Giles  during  a  serious  illness  in  1870,  in  anticipa- 
tion of  a  baptism  of  several  candidates  at  Salter's 
Hall,  London: 

Ilast  thou  said,  exalted  Jesus, 

"  Take  thy  cross  and  follow  me  ?  " 
Shall  the  word  with  terror  seize  us, 

Shall  we  from  the  burden  flee  ? 
Lord,  I  '11  take  it, 

And,  rejoicing,  follow  thee. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  177 

While  this  liquid  tomb  surveying, 

Emblem  of  my  Savior's  grave, 
Shall  I  shun  its  brink,  betraying 

Feelings  worthy  of  a  slave  ? 
No,  I  '11  enter; 

Jesus  entered  Jordan's  wave. 

Sweet  the  sign  that  thus  reminds  me, 

Savior,  of  thy  love  for  me; 
Sweeter  still  the  love  that  binds  me, 

In  its  deathless  bond,  to  thee; 
O  what  pleasure, 

Buried  with  my  Lord  to  be ! 

Should  it  rend  some  fond  connection. 

Should  I  suffer  shame  or  loss. 
Yet  the  fragrant,  blest  reflection, 

I  have  been  where  Jesus  was, 
Will  revive 

When  I  faint  beneath  the  cross. 

Fellowship  with  him  possessing, 

Let  me  die  to  all  around; 
So  I  rise  to  enjoy  the  blessing 

Kept  for  those  in  Jesus  found, 
When  the  archangel 

Wakes  the  sleepers  under  ground. 

Then,  baptized  in  love,  in  glory, 
Lamb  of  God,  thy  praise  I  '11  sing; 

Loudly  with  the  immortal  story 
All  the  harps  of  heaven  shall  ring; 

Saints  and  seraphs, 
Sound  it  loud  from  every  string. 

In  1834,  at  the  request  of  the  Baptist  Missionary 
committee,  Mr.  Giles  wrote  a  hymn  for  the  celebra- 
tion of  the  Negro's  Jubilee ;  and  also,  by  request,  he 
wrote  three  hymns  for  the  Missionary  Society's  Jubi- 
lee Collection,  1842. 
12 


178  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

EBENEZER  PLEDGE. 

1813-1878. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Pledge  was  born  at  Folkestone, 
August  31, 1813,  and  was  educated  at  Stepney  College, 
where  he  remained  from  1838,  to  1842.  He  was  first 
settled  at  Aberdeen,  and  afterward  at  Eythorne.  In 
1868,  he  removed  to  Umb ridge,  where  he  died  June  2, 
1878.  He  wrote  some  hymns,  which  were  published 
in  "  Tent  and  Temple  Songs"  (1879).  The  following 
hymn,  written  by  Mr.  Pledge,  and  entitled  "  The 
Three  Thrones,  A  Sabbath  Evening  Hymn,"  is  from 
this  volume : 

O  thou  most  holy  One! 

In  this  cahn  evening  hour, 
We  meet  before  thy  Mercy-throne, 

Encircled  by  thy  power. 
Teach  us  to  veil  our  face, 

In  lowliness  of  mind; 
Now  bless  us  from  thy  throne  of  grace, 

Let  us  rich  mercies  find! 

O  thou  most  righteous  One  I 

Through  grace  and  mercy  here, 
Prepare  us  for  thy  Judgment-throne, 

Where  we  must  all  appear; 
In  righteousness  complete. 

And  placed  at  thy  right  hand, 
Thus  bless  us  from  thy  Judgment  seat, 

With  saints  from  every  land. 

O  thou  most  faithful  One! 

When  that  great  day  is  o'er, 
Then  take  us  near  thy  Heavenly-throne, 

To  dwell  forevermore, 
Redeemed  by  grace  divine. 

Robed  ill  thy  righteousness. 
Then  shall  we  in  thy  likeness  shine, 

'Mid  heavenly  happiness. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  179 

O  seal  the  promise  now, 

In  this  cahn  evening  hour  I 
Let  us  who  round  thy  footstool  bow, 

Each  feel  thy  Spirit's  power. 
When,  Lord,  we  end  our  race, 

And  reach  thy  throne  above. 
Then  will  we  sing  of  thy  rich  grace. 

And  talk  of  thy  great  love. 

The  first  lines  of  other  hymns  are  — 
"  Jesus  wept  on  Olivet," 
"  Because  he  hath  inclined  his  ear," 
*'  In  the  name  of  Jesus  meeting," 
"  Jesus  only  could  I  see," 
"  In  this  dark  and  evil  day." 


ELIZABETH  RYLAND  TRESTRAIL. 

1813  . 

CAROLINE  DENT. 
1815  . 

These  ladies  are  sisters,  great-granddaughters  of 
Rev.  John  Collett  Ryland,  the  first  notable  member  of 
the  famous  Baptist  family  of  Rylands.  Their  father's 
name  was  Dent,  and  their  native  place  is  Milton,  near 
Northampton.  Mrs.  Trestrail  was  born  March  24, 
1813,  and  Miss  Dent,  August  14,  1815. 

Mrs.  Trestrail' s  first  husband  was  John  Robey,  Esq., 
banker,  of  Rochdale,  Lancashire,  a  gentleman  of  some 
literary  fame,  author  of  "  Traditions  of  Lancashire." 
In  1858,"  some  years  after  his  decease,  she  married 
Rev.  F.  Trestrail,  d.d.,  formerly  secretary  of  the  Bap- 
tist Irish  and  Foreign  Missionary  Societies.  In  1840, 
Mrs.  Trestrail  published  a  translation  from  the  Ger- 


180  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

man  of  a  memoir  of  Rev.  Hemy  Mosser;  and  in  1854, 
a  sketch  of  the  "  Literary  Life  and  Character  of  John 
Robey,"  prefixed  to  his  ''Legendary  and  Poetical 
Remains." 

Mrs.  Trestrail  and  Miss  Dent  have  both  written 
poetry,  and  to  a  certain  extent  have  co-operated  in 
publication.  Thus  in  1854,  Miss  Dent  pubUshed  a 
volume  entitled  "  Thoughts  and  Sketches  in  Verse," 
including  some  short  pieces  and  three  longer  ones. 
Several  of  the  shorter  pieces  were  written  by  Mrs. 
Trestrail.  The  sisters  were  also,  in  1861,  joint  authors 
of  a  little  book  of  consolatory  verses,  printed  for 
private  circulation,  and  entitled  "  Our  Darling." 

As  hymn  writers,  each  is  known  to  the  public  by 
one  hymn  only.  Mrs.  Trestrail's  was  written  in  1864, 
for  the  celebration  in  Jamaica  of  the  Jubilee  of  the 
Baptist  Mission  to  the  West  Indies,  and  is  now  number 
5  in  "  Psalms  and  Hymns  for  School  and  Home."  It 
is  as  follows : 

Hallelujah!  Praise  the  Lord  1 
Praise  him  for  his  faithful  word; 
Por  the  peace  of  pardoning  love, 
Praise  his  name,  all  names  above. 
Hallelujah!  Praise  the  Lord! 

Praise  him,  all  ye  stars  of  light, 
Ever  burning  in  his  sight; 
Praise  him,  earth's  green  vales  below; 
Praise  him,  ocean's  ebb  and  flow. 
Hallelujah!  Praise  the  Lord! 

Fathers,  brethren,  round  his  throne, 
Knowing  now  as  ye  are  known, 
Praise  him  on  your  harps  of  gold, 
As  ye  see  his  love  unfold. 
Hallelujah!  Praise  the  Lord! 

For  his  love,  too  faintly  sung, 
Praise  we  him  with  heart  and  tongue; 
Heaven  and  earth,  in  one  accord, 
Hallelujah!  Praise  the  Lord! 
Hallelujah!  Praise  the  Lord! 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  181 

Miss  Dent's  hymn  is  part  of  a  poem  of  thirteen 
stanzas  occurring  in  the  volume  mentioned  above, 
"  Thoughts  and  Sketches  in  Verse,"  and  is  entitled 
there  "  The  Sympathy  of  Jesus."  It  is  number  529 
in  "  Psalms  and  Hymns." 

Jesus,  Savior!  Thou  dost  know 
All  the  depth  of  human  woe; 
Thou  hast  shed  the  bitter  tear, 
Thou  hast  felt  the  withering  fear. 

For  the  iron  of  our  sin 
To  thy  heart  hath  entered  in; 
All  its  festering  anguish  keen, 
Holy  Savior,  thine  hath  been. 

Thou  our  Brother  art,  and  we 
"With  our  sorrows  come  to  thee ; 
Thou  wilt  not,  for  us  who  died, 
From  our  misery  turn  aside. 

Jesus,  savel  the  floods  are  nigh; 
To  thine  open  arms  we  fly; 
Sure  the  waters  will  not  dare 
Overwhelm  our  spirits  there. 

No  I  the  raging  waves  subside, 

Thou  hast  checked  the  rising  tide; 

All  our  woes  obey  thy  will, 

While  thou  whisperest,  "  Peace,  be  still!  " 

It  may  be  added  that  Miss  Dent  is  also  the  author 
of  a  religious  story  entitled  "  Sunshine  in  the  Valley  " 
(1858),  and  that  her  home  is  still  in  Northamptonshire. 
Mrs.  Trestrail,  with,  her  honored  husband,  resides  at 
Clifton,  near  Bristol. 


JOHN  T.  WIGNER. 
1815  . 

Rev.  John  Thomas  Wigner,  one  of  the  most  re- 
spected ministers  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  Eng- 


182  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

land,  was  born  in  or  about  the  year  1815,  at  Harwich, 
in  Essex,  where  his  father  was  a  tent  and  sail  maker. 
When  a  youth  he  removed  to  Burnham,  in  Essex,  and 
there  in  his  sixteenth  year  he  was  baptized,  and  joined 
the  Baptist  church.  In  1836,  he  became  a  student  at 
Stepney  College  (now  Regent's  Park),  and  in  1840,  he 
entered  upon  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Lynn,  Norfolk.  On  his  fiftieth  birthday  a  great  sor- 
row came  to  him,  and  that  day,  to  use  his  own  words, 
has  been  to  him  a  non  dies  ever  since,  and  is  never 
referred  to.  Hence  the  indefinite  expression  used 
above  concerning  the  date  of  his  birth.  From  Lynn, 
Mr.  Wigner  removed,  in  1866,  to  Brockley,  where 
shortly  afterward  a  new  chapel  and  school  rooms  were 
built  for  him,  and  where  he  still  ministers  to  a  large 
and  attached  congregation. 

Mr.  Wigner  was  one  of  the  company  of  ministers 
who,  in  1860,  brought  out  the  now  well-known  Bap- 
tist hymn  book,  entitled  "Psalms  and  Hymns."  A 
supplement  to  this  book  was  published  in  1881,  of 
which  Mr.  Wigner  was  the  editor.  He  also  edited,  in 
1882,  a  hymn  book  for  the  young,  which  has  a  large 
circulation  among  Baptist  churches.  It  is  entitled 
"Psalms  and  Hymns  for  School  and  Home."  Mr. 
Wigner  is  the  author  of  two  hymns  which  have  a  place 
in  the  publications  named.     One  of  these  commences 

O  Lord,  revive  thy  work. 
The  other  is  the  following : 

Hark!  't  is  the  song  of  heaven, 

Let  earth  resound  the  strain; 
And  let  the  joyful  tidings  spread 

O'er  island,  sea  and  main. 

"  To  us  a  child  is  born," 

To  bless  our  guilty  race, 
To  bring  salvation  to  our  world, 

To  save  us  by  his  grace. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  .  183 

"  To  us  a  Son  is  given," 

All  glory  to  his  name! 
We  join  with  angel  hosts  to  sing 

His  wondrous,  boundless  fame. 

The  offering  of  our  hearts, 

Low  at  his  feet  we  lay ; 
"With  sacred  songs  and  holy  joy, 

Keep  the  glad  holiday. 

All  hail!  thou  glorious  King! 

We  give  ourselves  to  thee ; 
Our  souls  adore  thy  royal  sway, 

Let  us  thy  glory  see. 

A  third  hymn,  to  which  Mr.  Wigner's  name  is  ap- 
pended, is  in  reaUty  an  adaptation  by  him  of  a  hymn 
by  Andrew  Reed, 

O,  do  not  let  the  word  depart. 


W.  POOLE  BALFERN. 

1818-1887. 

Rev.  W.  Poole  Balfern  was  born  at  Hammersmith, 
near  London,  September  4,  1818.  His  first  pastorate 
was  at  Bow,  near  London,  where  he  entered  upon  his 
labors  in  September,  1855.  Here  he  remained  seven 
years,  and  then  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  Af- 
ter a  two  years'  rest,  though  far  from  being  well,  he 
opened  a  chapel  at  Springvale,  Ham,  for  the  poor  near 
his  home.  Some  years  later,  and  while  thus  engaged, 
he  received  an  invitation  from  the  church  at  Norlands 
Chapel,  Nctting-hill,  in  the  same  neighborhood.  The 
church  was  burdened  with  a  heavy  debt,  and  was 
unable  to  pay  for  the  support  of  a  stated  pastor.  He 
accepted  the  invitation,  and  entered  upon  the  pastorate 
of  the  church,  taking   with  him  the  church  he   had 


184  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

gathered.  Here  he  remained  two  years,  when,  his 
health  again  failing,  he  was  obliged  to  resign.  For  a 
change  and  rest,  he  went  to  Brighton,  and  after  a  while 
he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Sussex  Street  Bap- 
tist church,  then  in  a  very  low  condition.  There  he 
labored  ten  years,  when  age  and  brain  prostration 
compelled  him  to  resign.  He  died  at  his  home  in 
Brighton,  July  3,  1887. 

Mr.  Balfern  used  his  pen  in  the  preparation  of  many 
works  in  prose  and  verse.  Among  them  are  "  Glimp- 
ses of  Jesus,  or  Christ  Exalted  in  the  Affections  of  his 
People";  "Lessons  from  Jesus,  or  the  Teachings  of 
Divine  Love ";  "  The  Sheltering  Blood,  or  Sinner's 
Refuge  ";  "  The  Pathos  of  Life  ";  "  The  Beauty  of  the 
Great  King,  and  other  Poems  for  the  Heart  and  Home  "; 
"  Lyrics  for  the  Heart ";  "  Gethsemane,  or  Incidents  of 
the  Great  Sorrow  ";  "  Heart  Fellowship  with  Christ, 
with  Meditations  and  Prayer  for  each  Sunday  in  the 
Year";  "The  Way  of  Peace."  He  was  also  a  fre- 
quent contributor  to  religious  journals.  Mr.  Balfern' s 
hymns  are  found  in  his  published  works  and  the  re- 
ligious journals,  from  which  some  of  them  have  been 
transferred  to  "  The  Baptist  Hymnal  "  and  other  col- 
lections. Some  of  his  hymns  are  also  in  various  Sun- 
day-school hymn  books.  The  following  is  from  the 
Enghsh  "  Baptist  Hymnal  "  (900) : 

Say  not,  O  wounded  heart, 

Thy  love  can  find  no  home; 
Behold  the  Bridegroom  of  thy  soul, 

And  hear  him  whisper,  "  Come!  " 

No  falsehood  dwells  in  him. 

His  heart  no  change  hath  known; 

The  faith  which  rests  upon  his  word, 
Makes  all  his  love  its  own. 

With  watchful  love  he  waits 

To  welcome  to  his  breast 
Each  wanderer  who,  with  weary  feet, 

Would  seek  his  perfect  rest. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  185 

The  sighs  of  Penitence 

He  hears,  and  counts  her  tears; 
And  when  she  leans  upon  his  breast, 

Forgives  the  sins  of  years. 

Turn  then,  O  soul,  and  livel 
In  Christ's  own  heart  find  peace; 

Now  let  assurance  of  his  love 
Bid  all  thy  conflicts  cease. 

The  London  Baptist  says  of  Mr.  Balf ern :  "  He  was 
singularly  unselfish  and  loving  in  personal  character, 
and  his  tone  in  writing  was  an  index  to  the  true  spirit- 
uaUty  of  his  mind." 


JOSEPH  TRITTON. 

1819-1887. 

Mr.  Tritton  was  from  1869,  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  treasurer  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society. 
He  took  a  deep,  practical  interest  in  foreign  mission- 
ary work,  and  at  different  times  contributed  largely 
for  missionary  purposes.  To  other  purposes,  also,  he 
devoted  his  means  on  a  liberal  scale.  He  was  for 
some  time  treasurer  of  the  Baptist  Irish  Society,  of 
the  Surrey  Mission,  and  of  the  Institution  now  known 
as  the  Asjdum  for  Fatherless  Children. 

Mr.  Tritton  was  born  at  Battersea,  September  21, 
1819.  His  father's  family,  including  himself,  were  in 
earlier  years  members  of  the  church  at  Battersea, 
under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Joseph  Hughes,  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Soci- 
ety, and  a  friend  of  John  Foster.  He  was  educated 
partly  at  private  schools  and  partly  at  the  Charter 
House,     For  upward  of  forty  years  he  was  a  partner 


186  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

in  the  well  known  banking  house  of  Barclay,  Bevan, 
Tritton  &  Co.     He  died  May  1,  1887. 

Mr.  Tritton  was  an  occasional  writer  of  hymns  and 
poems  on  spiritual  subjects.  Two  of  the  hymns  sung 
at  the  opening  of  the  Metropolitan  Tabernacle,  in 
1861,  were  composed  by  him  for  that  occasion,  and 
afterward  incorporated  by  Mr.  Spurgeon  in  "  Our  Own 
Hymn  Book"  (1866).     Their  first  lines  are 

"  Spirit  of  glory  and  of  grace  "  (1018), 

"  Sing  to  the  Lord  with  heart  and  voice  "  (102). 

A  third  hymn  in  the  same  book. 

Behold,  he  comes!  the  glorious  King, 

was  composed  by  Mr.  Tritton  in  1856.  The  two  fol- 
lowing hymns,  included  in  "Psalms  and  Hymns,"  were 
prepared  for  use  at  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Bap- 
tist Missionary  Society  in  1880 : 

"  Lord  God  of  our  salvation  "  (1216), 

"  Head  of  the  church,  and  Lord  of  all  "  (1218). 

Other  good  hymns  from  Mr.  Tritton' s  pen  were  pub- 
lished from  time  to  time  in  the  Missionary  Herald. 
The  following  is  a  good  specimen  of  his  style  : 

Savior,  who  from  the  chosen  spot, 
On  morning  cloud  wast  borne  away, 

Where  the  dim  shades  of  earth  are  not, 
But  all  is  bright,  unending  day;  — 

"With  us  'tis  darkness,  sin,  and  strife; 

Without,  the  foe  —  within,  the  fear; 
O  when  wilt  thou,  great  Prince  of  Life, 

In  full  salvation's  strength  appear  ? 

What  can  we  but  our  God  implore 

His  power  and  glory  to  reveal, 
While  faith  tells  out,  from  shore  to  shore, 

Thy  grace  a  stricken  world  to  heal  ? 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  187 

Look  from  thy  seat  at  God's  right  hand; 

Thy  seat,  on  heaven's  eternal  hill;  — 
And  sj)eed  each  consecrated  band, 

That  strives  to  do  the  Father's  will. 

On  thee  our  every  hope  is  laid; 

Such  hope  as  at  thy  cross  up-springs ; 
For  thee  our  every  prayer  is  made, 

Enthroned  Redeemer,  "  King  of  Kings," 

To  whom  all  lands  must  tribute  bear. 

All  hearts  be  bowed  in  reverence  low; 
While  destined  in  thy  truth  to  share, 

Its  glory  shall  the  nations  know. 


EMMA  TURKEY. 

1819-1851. 

In  "  Psalms  and  Hymns  for  School  and  Home,"  are 
two  hymns  for  children,  sweet  and  tender  in  their 
simplicity,  to  which  are  appended  the  signatures  "  E. 
Turney,"  and  "E.  T."  It  cannot  be  affirmed  with  cer- 
tainty, but  all  the  facts  make  it  extremely  probable, 
that  the  writer  of  these  hymns  was  Mrs.  Emma 
Turney,  nee  Emma  Bolwell,  who  was  born  at  Aldeburgh, 
Suffolk,  December  17, 1819,  and  May  13, 1842,  became 
the  wife  of  Mr.  G.  L.  Turney,  a  deacon  of  the  General 
Baptist  church  in  Borough  Road,  Southwark.  Mrs. 
Turney,  before  her  marriage,  had  been  engaged  in 
tuition,  and  was  an  accomplished  Christian  lady.  She 
died  September  10,  1851.  Number  351  in  the  above 
collection  begins 

Come  to  Jesus,  little  one. 

The  following  is  number  372  : 

The  darkness  now  is  over, 

And  all  the  world  is  bright; 
Praise  be  to  Christ,  who  keepeth 

His  children  safe  at  night  I 


188  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"We  cannot  tell  what  gladness 
May  be  our  lot  today, 

What  sorrow  or  temptation 
May  meet  us  on  our  way; 

But  this  we  know  most  surely, 
That  through  all  good  or  ill, 

God's  grace  can  always  help  us 
To  do  his  holy  will. 

Then,  Jesus,  let  the  angels, 

Who  watch  us  through  the  night 

Be  all  day  long  beside  us 
To  guide  our  steps  aright. 

And  when  the  evening  cometh, 
We  '11  kneel  again  to  pray, 

And  thank  thee  for  the  blessings 
Bestowed  throughout  the  day. 


BENJAMIN  W.  PRO  VIS. 

1822  . 

Benjamin  Wilmot  Provis  is  a  good  specimen  of  a 
class  of  men  happily  to  be  found  in  many  Non-con- 
formist churches  in  the  smaller  towns  of  England ; 
intelligent,  godly  laymen,  pillars  in  the  communities 
to  which  they  belong.  Mr.  Provis  was  born  at  Chip- 
penham, Wiltshire,  November  15,  1822,  but  for  many 
years  past  he  has  resided  at  Coleford,  Gloucestershire, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  business.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  that  place,  and  for  the  last  thirty 
years  he  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school 
and  leader  of  the  choir.  He  has  written  a  number  of 
hymns,  chiefly  for  use  in  the  Sunday-school,  or  on 
anniversary  occasions.     Most   of  these   are   unknown 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  189 

beyond  his  own  locality,  but  two  have  been  introduced 
into  popular  hymn  books, — 

"  No  tie  so  strong  or  sweet  below," 
*'  Bright  and  joyous  be  our  lay." 

The  first  of  these  is  herewith  given  as  amended  by  the 
author : 

No  tie  so  strong  or  sweet  below 

That  time  doth  not  dissever; 
But  in  the  Father's  home  there  waits 
This  recompense  forever  — 

No  parting  there,  no  parting  there, 
No  parting  there  forever. 

Our  cords  of  joy  are  cleft  in  twain. 

Not  one  remains  unbroken; 
Yet  heaven  relinks  eternally, 

For  so  the  Lord  hath  spoken. 
No  parting  there,  etc, 

"Why  mourn  we  gaps  which  years  have  made  ? 

Why  grieve  for  the  departed  ? 
Since  Christ  shall  reunite  in  heaven, 

And  heal  the  broken-hearted. 
No  parting  there,  etc. 

Yea,  in  the  Paradise  of  God 

The  sorrows  of  life's  story 
Shall  be  resolved  in  psalms  of  praise 

And  everlasting  glory. 
No  parting  there,  etc. 

Sing  we  today;  the  night  draws  on  I 

Come  night  of  mortal  slumber! 
To-morrow  clasp  we  waiting  hands 

Of  hosts  no  man  can  number. 
No  parting  there,  etc. 


190  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

SOLOMON  S.  ALLSOP. 

1824  . 

Rev.  Solomon  Smithee  Allsop  is  a  useful  and 
much  respected  minister  connected  with  the  General 
Baptists.  He  was  born  at  Quomdan,  Leicestershire, 
April  1,  1824.  His  father  was  a  Baptist  minister,  af- 
terward a  missionary  to  Jamaica,  where  he  died  in 
1829.  The  son,  returning  to  England,  received  a 
good  education,  became  a  church  member,  an  occa- 
sional preacher,  and  eventually,  in  1860,  pastor  of  a 
General  Baptist  church  at  Whittlesea,  in  Cambridge- 
shire. His  subsequent  spheres  of  labor  were  Long- 
ford, near  Coventry,  and  March,  until  1879,  when  he 
removed  to  Burton-on-Trent,  where  he  now  resides. 
Both  at  March  and  Burton-on-Trent  new  chapels  were 
erected  in  connection  with  his  ministry.  When  he 
was  pastor  at  Longford  it  was  the  custom  to  have  an 
original  hymn  at  the  Sunday-school  anniversaries,  and 
for  these  occasions  Mr.  Allsop  wrote  several  hymns, 
which  found  favor  in  other  localities,  and  were  often 
sung,  though  the  author  w^as  unknown.  The  foUow- 
ing  is  from  the  "School  Hymnal"  (323): 

Our  hymn  of  thanks  we  sing  today, 

Our  hearts  and  voices  raise, 
To  him  who  with  a  Father's  love, 

Has  guided  all  our  ways ; 
The  mercies  of  another  year 

Demand  our  grateful  praise. 

Jesus,  accept  the  thanks  we  bring, 

Unworthy  though  they  be; 
Thou  didst  of  old  let  children  sing 

Hosannas  unto  thee. 
We,  too,  present  our  offering, 

And  join  their  harmony. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  191 

Throughout  the  year  we  have  been  blest 

With  lessons  from  thy  word, 
rrom  teachers,  dear,  who  never  tire. 

In  working  for  their  Lord, 
Our  minds  to  train,  our  souls  to  win; 

O  give  them  their  reward. 

May  we  still  love  the  Sunday-school ; 

Still  love  thy  word  and  ways ; 
And  wise  unto  salvation  grow. 

In  these  our  youthful  daj's ; 
Then  join  the  blessed  band  above, 

Who  ever  sing  thy  praise. 

Lord,  smile  upon  the  friends  who  come 

To  aid  this  work  of  love; 
Their  offerings  graciously  accept; 

Thy  blessing  may  they  prove 
An  hundred  fold,  and  may  we  meet 

Teachers  and  friends  above. 


JOHN  H.  BETTS. 

1825  . 

Eev.  Jonx  Henry  Betts  was  born  June  16,  1825, 
at  Great  Yarmouth,  Norfolk,  where  his  father  was  for 
many  years  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  com- 
menced his  own  ministry  in  1847,  and  has  labored  suc- 
cessfully in  London,  Edinburgh,  Manchester,  Darling- 
ton, and  Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  Since  1881,  he  has 
been  pastor  at  Rye  Hill  Chapel,  in  the  important  city 
last  named. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Betts  published  a  volume  of  poems 
entitled  "Early  Blossoms,"  consisting  of  hymns  and 
translations  from  the  Greek  and  Latin  classics.  While 
in  London  and  Edinburgh  he  also  published  three 
small  volumes  of  sermons  and  lectures,  now  out  of 
print.     For  several  years  he  was  editor  of  the  Primi- 


192  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

tive  Church  Magazine.  He  is  also  the  compiler  of  a 
collection  of  hymns  for  Sunday-schools,  entitled  "  The 
Children's  Hosanna."  Several  of  these  hymns  were 
written  by  Mr.  Betts,  and  are  to  be  found  in  Mayor's 
"Book  of  Praise,"  a  collection  of  hymns  for  the  young, 
which  has  had  a  large  circulation  in  Great  Britain. 
One  of  these  is  the  following: 

Beautiful  Star,  whose  heavenly  light 
Cheers  a  guilty  world  of  night; 
Thou  shedd'st  thy  glories  from  afar, 
Star  of  the  Christian,  beautiful  star. 

Beautiful  Star,  whose  kindly  ray 
Brings  to  earth  a  glorious  day; 
With  steady,  heaven  enkindled  flame, 
Thou  shinest,  evermore  the  same. 

Beautiful  Star,  thy  pilot  spark 
Leads  the  traveler  in  the  dark. 
Through  all  his  journey  to  the  skies, 
He  lifts  to  thee  his  gladdened  eyes. 

Beautiful  Star,  when  o'er  the  deep 
Wildest  storms  of  sorrow  sweep, 
The  sailor  feels  and  fears  no  ill. 
For  overhead  thou  shinest  still. 

Beautiful  Star,  the  darksome  tomb 
In  thy  light  shall  lose  its  gloom; 
O  let  me  find  thy  presence  there. 
And  e'en  in  death  I  '11  feel  no  fear. 


JOHN    COMPSTON. 

1828  . 

Probably  no  man  in  England  has  done  more  to  pop- 
ularize the  great  temperance  movement  by  the  aid  of 
music  and  song,  than  Rev.  .Tohn  Compston.  True,  no 
hymns  of  his  are  sung  in  the  ordinary  worship  of  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  193 

churches,  but  at  Band  of  Hope  meetings  and  other 
temperance  gatherings  his  stirring  verses  are  famiUar 
favorites,  and  some  of  them  contain  so  much  of  the 
rehgious  as  well  as  the  lyrical  element  that  their 
author  may  well  have  a  place  in  this  volume.  Mr. 
Compston  was  born  at  Smallbridge,  near  Rochdale, 
Lancashire,  January  9, 1828,  his  father,  Samuel  Comps- 
ton, being  a  Congregational  minister.  John  Comps- 
ton became  a  Baptist,  and  beginning  to  preach  in  the 
year  1852,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Baptist  church,  Inskip,  near  Preston.  He  labored 
subsequently  at  Bramley  (now  Leeds),  Barnsley,  York 
Road,  Leeds;  and,  in  1878,  removed  into  Somersetshire 
to  become  pastor  of  the  United  churches  of  Fivehead 
and  Isle  Abbots,  near  Taunton,  a  post  he  still  occupies. 
While  at  Leeds  he  discharged  the  duties  of  organizing 
secretary  to  the  Yorkshire  Band  of  Hope  Union. 

His  first  work  in  connection  with  hymns  was  the 
publication  of  a  popular  little  book  known  as  "Lan- 
cashire Sunday-school  Songs,"  afterward  incorporated 
in  a  larger  book  entitled  "  Sacred  Songs  for  Home  and 
School,"  of  which  Rev.  J,  Lees  was  co-editor.  A  hymn 
for  the  young,  composed  by  Mr.  Compston,  commenc- 
inar 

Joseph,  a  lovely  youth, 

appeared  in  both  of  these  collections,  and  has  been 
reprinted  elsewhere.  In  1857,  and  1863,  music  for 
these  sacred  songs  was  published  by  Mr.  Compston,  in 
the  latter  instance  with  the  title  "  Popular  Sacred 
Harmonies."  In  1881,  he  edited  a  more  important 
work,  which  has  passed  through  several  editions,  and 
is  entitled  "  The  National  Temperance  Hymnal."  In 
this  work  words  and  music  are  combined.  Of  the  five 
hundred  compositions  contained  in  it,  twenty  are  by 
Mr.  Compston.  One  of  these  appears  in  the  "  School 
Hymnal  "  (1880),  the  first  line  being, 

The  boys  and  girls  of  England,  O  happy  may  they  be. 
13 


194  BAPTIST  HYMN  WKITERS 

The  following  hymn,  written  for  the  re-opening  of  a 
house  of  worship,  is  one  of  Mr.  Compston's  best: 

Lol  now  with  joy  we  enter 

At  Zion's  open  door, 
Where  strong  affections  center, 

And  numbers  throng  the  floor. 
In  God,  the  Lord,  we  glory, 

Where  love  our  life  hath  crowned, 
And  in  whose  boundless  mercy 

Our  souls  true  rest  have  found. 

This  day,  with  grateful  feeling, 

Our  psalms  and  hymns  we  bring; 
Our  love  to  Jesus  sealing, 

His  praise  we  join  to  sing; 
Thus  far  his  hand  has  prospered 

Our  good  and  great  design, 
Nor  will  his  kindness  fail  us, 

Nor  e'er  his  love  decline. 

With  hearts  subdued  and  tender. 

Upon  the  past  we  gaze ; 
Whilst  thanks  to  God  we  render, 

Who  shaped  our  toilsome  ways. 
Through  all  the  "  days  of  small  things," 

For  more  than  thirty  years. 
His  care  appeaed   in  all  things, 

And  turned  to  smiles  our  fears. 

O  God  of  grace  and  glory. 

Thy  blessings  we  implore ;  — 
Now  as  we  stand  before  thee, 

Thy  Spirit  on  us  pour. 
Whene'er  thy  people  gather 

Within  these  walls  to  pray, 
Come,  and  fulfil  thy  promise, 

And  ever  with  us  stay. 

Beside  pamphlets  at  various  times  on  public  ques- 
tions, Mr.  Compston  has  recently  published  a  well 
known  work  entitled  "  Temperance  as  Taught  in  the 
Revised  Bible,"  containing  brief  comments  on  passages 
of  Scripture  bearing  on  the  temperance  controversy. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  195 

DAWSON  BURNS. 

1828  . 


Dawson  Buens,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Southwark,  Lon- 
don, December  22,  1828,  and  is  the  younger  son  of 
Jabez  Burns,  d.d.,  widely  known  in  his  day  as  a 
preacher  and  author,  and  especially  as  a  speaker  and 
lecturer  in  behalf  of  temperance  reform  and  other 
philanthropic  movements.  Dawson  Burns  studied  for 
the  ministry  at  the  General  Baptist  College  then  lo- 
cated at  Leicester;  and,  in  1851,  commenced  public 
work  in  Manchester.  After  a  time  he  became  assist- 
ant, and  eventually  successor  to  his  father  as  minister 
of  the  General  Baptist  Chapel,  Church  Street,  Mary- 
lebone,  London.  This  position  he  resigned  a  few 
years  ago  in  order  to  devote  himself  more  entirely  to 
literary  and  organizing  work  in  connection  with  the 
temperance  cause.  In  1868,  he  published,  with  Dr.  F. 
Lees  as  co-editor,  the  "Temperance  Bible  Commen- 
tary"; in  1872,  ''Bases  of  the  Temperance  Reform"; 
in  1875,  "Christendom  and  the  Drink  Curse";  in 
1883,  "Temperance  Ballads";  beside  numerous  con- 
tributions, year  by  year,  to  periodicals,  congresses, 
etc. 

But  in  the  midst  of  this  almost  incessant  work  of 
advocacy  and  controversy  Dr.  Burns  has  not  ceased, 
in  the  quiet  of  his  home,  to  practice  the  art  of  poetry. 
In  1884,  he  published  "Rays  of  Sacred  Song"  (Lon- 
don, S.  W.  Partridge  &  Co.),  a  volume  containing 
nearly  forty  hymns,  and  many  short  poems,  chiefly  on 
Scripture  subjects.  In  1886,  appeared  from  his  pen 
"  Oliver  Cromwell,  and  Other  Poems."  The  following 
is  from  the  EngHsh  "Baptist  Hymnal" (783): 

Gladsome  we  hail  this  clay's  return; 

In  God's  great  name  again  we  meet; 
Our  hearts  once  more  within  us  burn, 

And  our  communion  shall  be  sweet. 


196  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"We  bless  thee,  Lord,  for  all  the  good 
Thy  lil3eral  hand  has  freely  given, 

For  grace  by  which  our  feet  have  stood 
In  ways  that  lead  the  soul  to  heaven. 

For  all  the  mercies  of  the  past 
We  join  in  songs  of  filial  praise, 

Around  us  now  thy  favor  cast, 
Thou  Guide  and  Guardian  of  our  days. 

'T  was  by  thy  Spirit-kindling  flame 
Thy  servants  felt  their  bosoms  glow, 

And  in  thy  all  sustaining  name, 
They  still  with  hallowed  ardor  go. 

More  strength  we  crave,  more  love,  more  zeal. 
That  we  may  follow  Christ;  and  live 

To  labor  for  our  brethren's  weal, 
And  unto  thee  the  glory  give. 


SIR  NATHANIEL  BARNABY. 

1829  . 

Sir  Nathaniel  Barnabt,  k.c.b.,  is  the  only  Bap- 
tist hymn  writer  upon  whom  has  been  bestowed  the 
honor  of  knighthood.  He  received  this  distinction 
from  the  Queen  of  England  in  recognition  of  the  ser- 
vices he  had  rendered  his  country  as  a  director  of 
Naval  Construction.  He  was  born  at  Chatham,  Feb- 
ruary 25,  1829,  and  was  a  scholar  in  the  Brook  Sun- 
day-school there.  For  many  years  he  has  been  super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday-school  connected  with  the 
Baptist  church  at  Lee,  in  Kent,  and  the  few  hymns 
he  has  written  were  first  sung  at  its  anniversary 
services.  Two  of  these  were  introduced  into  the 
"School  Hymnal"  (London,  1880),  and  soon  came 
into  extensive  use.     Their  first  lines  are  as  follows; 

"  To  Jesus  our  Captain,  to  Jesus  our  King," 

"  The  soldier  keeps  his  wakeful  watch," 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  197 

The  second  of  these  hymns  was  written  to  be  sung  to 
the  popular  German  war  song,  the  "Watch  on  the 
Rhine,"  and  is  as  follows : 

The  soldier  keeps  his  wakeful  watch 
AVhile  wearied  comrades  sleep  around, 

With  eager  eyes  and  ears,  to  catch 
Of  stealthy  foeman  sight  or  sound. 

Girls.  Then  let  me  watch  when  danger  's  near; 

Boys.  Then  let  me  watch  when  danger  's  near; 

Girls.  God  help  us  all  to  watch;  to  watch  and  pray; 

All.  God  help  us  all  to  watch;  and  guard  thou  our  way. 

As  faithful  soldiers  let  us  watch 

For  sin,  our  strong  and  bitter  foe, 
Lest  he  an  easy  victory  snatch, 

Break  through  our  guard,  and  lay  us  low. 

Then,  etc. 

The  sailor  keeps  his  wakeful  watch, 
When  billows  rise  and  tempests  roar, 

With  straining  eyes  the  light  to  catch, 

Which  warns  him  from  the  dangerous  shore. 

Then,  etc. 

« 

For  like  the  sailor,  we  are  borne 
Through  storm  and  calm  across  the  sea; 

God  fills  our  sails  and  drives  us  on, 
To  land  us  in  eternity. 

Then,  etc. 

In  evening  winds  and  raging  seas, 

By  stormy  day  and  dreary  night. 
Supported  by  thy  promises 

I  '11  watch  and  work,  with  all  my  might. 

Then,  etc. 

Land  me,  O  Lord,  in  safety  there, 

And  all  my  dangerous  way  attend; 
Then  praise  shall  leave  no  room  for  prayer, 

And  my  long  watch  shall  have  an  end. 

Then,  etc. 


198  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

THOMAS  GOADBY. 

1829  . 


Rev.  Thomas  Goadby,  b.a.,  is  the  second  son  of 
Rev.  Joseph  Goadby.  He  was  born  December  23, 
1829,  at  Leicester,  where  his  father  was  at  that  time 
minister.  He  studied  first  at  the  General  Baptist  Col- 
leo-e,  then  located  at  Leicester,  and  afterward  at 
Glasgow  University,  having  obtained  one  of  Dr.  Wil- 
liams' scholarships.  He  was  graduated  b.a.,  in  1856, 
and  shortly  after  commenced  his  ministry  as  pastor  of 
the  General  Baptist  church  in  Coventry.  In  1861,  he 
removed  to  Commercial  Road,  London,  and  thence,  in 
1868,  to  Osmerton  Road,  Derby.  In  1873,  he  was 
chosen  president  of  the  General  Baptist  College,  which 
had  been  removed  from  Leicester,  and  is"  now  in  Not- 
tingham ;  and  this  position  he  still  holds. 

Mr.  Goadby  is  best  known  as  a  preacher  and  speaker, 
but  he  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  periodical 
literature ;  and  a  number  of  his  more  important  papers 
and  addresses  have  appeared  in  pamphlet  form.  In 
1862,  he  published  a  short  poem  entitled  "  The  Day  of 
Death."  He  is  a  good  German  scholar,  and  has  at- 
tended courses  of  lectures  by  some  of  the  most  emi- 
nent professors  in  German  Universities.  In  1884,  he 
translated  the  first  volume  of  Ewald's  great  work 
"Die  Lehre  der  Bibel  von  Gott,"  the  translation  being 
published  in  the  Foreign  Theological  Series  of  T.  & 
T.  Clark,  under  the  title,  "  Revelation,  its  Nature  and 
Record." 

Mr.  Goadby's  hymns  have  been  composed  chiefly  for 
the  use  of  young  people  at  Sunday-school  anniversaries, 
and  some  of  them  have  been  very  popular.  Nine  are 
in  the  "School  Hymnal"  (1880): 

"  Morn  awakes  and  woodlands  ring," 

"  God  of  the  earth  and  sky," 

"  O  God,  who  on  through  all  the  years," 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  199 

"  Prince  of  Life,  enthroned  in  glory," 

"  When  the  day  of  life  is  dawning," 

"  Othou  whose  holy  love," 

"  Shepherd  of  Israel,  Jesus  our  Savior," 

"  A  band  of  maiden  pilgrims," 

"  Forward,  Gospel  heralds," 

The  first,  in  full,  is  as  follows : 

Morn  awakes  and  woodlands  ring, 

Earth  and  heaven  with  glory  shine; 
Glad  as  birds  of  dawn  we  sing, 

Brimming  o'er  with  song  divine. 
Sunbeams  glitter,  day  is  come. 

Fled  are  all  the  fears  of  night; 
Stones  will  shout,  if  lips  are  dumb:  — 

Praise  to  thee,  great  Lord  of  Light! 

Bounding  in  the  hearts  of  men, 

Breaking  on  the  grassy  sod. 
Swells  the  living  tide  again 

From  the  flowing  founts  of  God. 
Dewy  slumber  leaves  the  eyes, 

Joy  in  every  soul  is  rife. 
As  from  death  lo  all  things  rise:  — 

Praise  to  thee,  great  Lord  of  Lifel 

Sweet  as  God's  sweet  grace  the  air 

Breathes  its  freshness  o'er  the  flowers; 
Earth  is  beautiful  and  fair; 

Blessed  are  the  morning  hours. 
Golden  fields  with  radiance  glow 

Golden  skies  gleam  bright  above, 
Eden  comes  again  below:  — 

Praise  to  thee,  great  Lord  of  Love  I 

Swiftly  flies  the  night  of  Time, 

Soon  eternal  day  will  dawn, — 
Angel  choirs  in  song  sublime 

Heralding  unfading  morn ; 
Then  transfigured  evermore, 

All  the  sin  of  earth  forgiven, 
Loud  we  '11  sing  where  saints  adore, 

Praise  to  thee,  great  Lord  of  Heaven! 


200  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JAMES  F.  SMYTHE. 

1830  . 


Mr.  Smythe  was  born  in  Bristol,  October  29,  1830, 
and  studied  for  the  ministry  at  the  Baptist  college  in 
that  city.  In  1858,  he  entered  upon  public  life  as 
minister  at  Worstead,  in  the  agricultural  county  of 
Norfolk.  It  was  afterward  his  lot  to  be  the  first  Bap- 
tist pastor  in  modern  times  in  the  ancient  city  of 
York.  Subsequently  he  labored  in  Canterbury  and 
Bolton,  and  is  now  pastor  of  the  General  Baptist 
church  at  Berkhampsted.  Mr.  Smythe' s  first  poetical 
production  appeared  in  the  Baptist  Magazine  in  the 
year  1856,  and  was  entitled  "God  and  the  Soul." 
Since  then  he  has  written  a  considerable  number  of 
hymns  and  short  poems,  which  have  appeared  in  the 
Sword  and  Trowel,  the  General  Magazine,  and  other 
religious  periodicals.  The  following,  from  "Psalms 
and  Hymns  for  School  and  Home"  (128),  is  from  his 
pen: 

O  Jesus  1  meek  and  lowly, 

Who  once  did  sojourn  here; 
O  Jesus!  pure  and  holy, 

Thy  gentle  voice  I  hear! 
It  speaks  from  out  the  pages 

Of  thine  own  Book  divine; 
It  comes  all  down  the  ages, 

To  weary  hearts  like  mine. 

O  Jesus!  meek  and  lowly, 

Of  comforters  the  best; 
O  Jesus!  pure  and  holy, 

To  me  thou  offer'st  rest; 
Best  from  all  mental  anguish, 

The  rest  of  sin  forgiven. 
Rest  when  I  fail  and  languish, 

The  perfect  rest  of  heaven. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  201 

O  Jesus  I  meek  and  lowly, 
I  look  to  thee  alone; 

0  Jesus  I  pure  and  holy, 
To  thee  for  rest  I  come ; 

1  trust,  and  so  believe  thee, 
I  seek  thy  blessed  face; 

Keceive  me,  oh,  receive  me. 
Within  thy  kind  embrace! 


MARY  E.  LESLIE. 

1834  -^ — . 

Miss  Mary  Eliza  Leslie  is  a  daughter  of  Rev. 
Andrew  Leslie,  a  Baptist  missionary,  who  for  twenty, 
two  years  was  pastor  of  the  church  in  Circular  Road, 
Calcutta.  She  was  born  at  Menghyr,  January  13, 
1834.  She  became  a  member  of  her  father's  church, 
and,  being  possessed  of  considerable  intellectual  at^ 
tainments,  was  for  eight  years  at  the  head  of  an  instil 
tution  for  the  education  of  the  daughters  of  native 
Christian  gentlemen.  Since  1877,  she  has  been  en- 
gaged in  visiting  the  hospitals  of  Calcutta,  in  temper- 
ance and  zenana  work,  and  other  kinds  of  Christian 
service. 

Miss  Leslie  is  the  author  of  the  following  works: 
"Ina,  and  other  Poems"  (1856);  "Sorrows  and  Aspi- 
rations "  (1858);  "Heart  Echoes  from  the  East,  or 
Sacred  Lyrics  and  Sonnets"  (1861);  "The  Dawn  of 
Light,  a  Story  for  Hindoo  Women"  (1869);  "Eastern 
Blossoms,  a  »Story  for  Native  Christian  Women"  (1875); 
and  "A  Child  of  the  Day"  (1882,  republished  in 
Edinburgh). 

In  "  Heart  Echoes  from  the  East  "is  a  lyric  be- 
ginning, 

They  are  gathering  homeward  from  every  land, 

which  soon  became  extremely  popular,  and  has  been 


202  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

reprinted  in  many  forms.  Set  to  music,  it  has  been 
often  sung  at  anniversaries.  Several  of  Miss  Leslie's 
lyrics  and  sonnets  are  very  good,  but  no  one  of  her 
hymns  is  equal  in  poetic  power  to  this  ("  School 
Hymnal,"  291) : 

They  are  gathering  homeward  from  every  land, 

One  by  one; 
As  their  weary  feet  touch  the  shining  strand, 

One  by  one. 
Their  brows  are  enclosed  in  a  golden  crown, 
Their  travel  stained  garments  are  all  laid  down, 
And  clothed  in  white  raiment  they  rest  on  the  mead 
Where  the  Lamb  loveth  his  chosen  to  lead, 

One  by  one. 

Before  they  rest  they  pass  through  the  strife, 

One  by  one; 
Through  the  waters  of  death  they  enter  life, 

One  by  one. 
To  some  are  the  floods  of  the  river  still 
As  they  ford  on  their  way  to  the  heavenly  hill; 
To  others  the  waves  run  fiercely  and  wild; 
Yet  all  reach  the  home  of  the  undefiled, 

One  by  one. 

Jesus,  Eedeemer,  we  look  to  thee, 

One  by  one; 
We  lift  up  our  voices  tremblingly, 

One  by  one. 
The  waves  of  the  river  are  dark  and  cold, 
We  know  not  the  spot  where  our  feet  may  hold; 
Thou  who  didst  pass  through  in  deep  midnight, 
Strengthen  us,  send  us  the  staff,  and  the  light, 

One  by  one. 

Plant  thou  thy  feet  beside  as  we  tread, 

One  by  one; 
On  thee  let  us  lean  each  drooping  head, 

One  by  one. 
Let  but  thy  strong  arm  around  us  be  twined, 
We  shall  cast  our  cares  and  fears  to  the  wind. 
Savior,  Redeemer,  with  thee  full  in  view, 
Smilingly,  gladsomely,  shall  we  pass  through, 

One  by  one. 


■^yT^i^'i^iQynaAyLi^    cyto.  <JZJ?.^yi^^O'n^. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  203 

CHARLES  H.  SPURGEON, 

1834  . 

Few  men  are  so  widely  known  as  Charles  Haddon 
Spurgeon.  He  was  born  June  19,  1834,  at  Kelvedon, 
Essex,  where  his  fatlier  w^as  pastor  of  an  Independent 
church.  At  an  early  age  he  was  placed  under  the 
care  of  his  grandfather,  also  an  Independent  minister, 
who  lived  at  Stambourne,  in  the  same  county.  Later 
he  attended  a  private  academy  at  Colchester,  which 
had  become  his  father's  residence.  When  fifteen 
years  of  age  he  studied  a  year  at  an  agricultural  col- 
lege at  Maidstone.  Afterward  he  was  an  assistant  in 
a  school  at  Newmarket.  In  the  autumn  of  1850,  he 
became  deeply  interested  in  his  religious  welfare,  and 
a  few  months  later,  at  the  Primitive  Methodist  Chapel 
at  Colchester,  he  heard  a  sermon  from  the  text,  "  Look 
unto  me,  and  be  ye  saved,  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth." 
The  preacher's  words  reached  his  heart,  and  then  and 
there,  according  to  his  own  glad  testimony,  he  gave 
himself  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  When  considering 
the  duty  of  publicly  confessing  his  allegiance  to  his 
Master,  he  decided  to  unite  with  a  Baptist  church, 
and  May  3,  1851,  he  was  baptized  at  Isleham,  near 
Newmarket. 

For  awhile  he  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  tract 
distribution  and  Sunday-school  teaching.  He  then 
removed  to  Cambridge,  where  he  found  employment 
as  usher.  Here  he  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in 
St.  Andrews  Street,  of  which  Robert  Robinson  and 
afterward  Robert  Hall  had  been  pastors,  and  engaged 
in  religious  work  as  opportunity  offered.  His  first 
sermon  he  preached  at  Teversham,  when  sixteen  years 
of  age,  having  received  a  license  as  a  lay  preacher. 
In  1852,  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  little 
Baptist  church  at  Waterbeach.  Here  crowds  flocked 
to  hear  him.     His  fame  soon  reached  London,  and,  in 


204  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

the  autumn  of  1853,  the  deacons  of  Dr.  Rippon's  old 
church  in  New  Park  Street  invited  him  to  come  to 
London,  and  supply  the  pulpit.  The  invitation 
was  accepted,  and  the  impression  which  the  young 
preacher  made  by  his  sermons  was  such  that  he  at 
once  received  a  call  to  the  pastorate.  This  he  ac- 
cepted, and  removing  to  London  he  entered  upon  his 
work  in  the  metropolis  under  very  bright  prospects. 
Crowds  attended  his  preaching  services,  and  within  a 
year  it  became  necessary  to  enlarge  the  church  edi- 
fice. Meanwhile  Exeter  Hall  was  hired,  and  overflow- 
ing congregations  greeted  him  there.  The  enlarged 
chapel  proved  inadequate  to  seat  the  throngs  that 
assembled  to  hear  him,  and,  in  1856,  Mr.  Spurgeon 
commenced  preaching  in  the  Music  Hall  in  Surry  Gar- 
dens, which  had  accommodations  for  seven  thousand 
people.  To  meet  the  wants  of  the  rapidly  growing 
church,  the  Metropolitan  Tabernacle  was  erected,  the 
corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  in  August,  1859.  The 
building  was  completed  in  1861,  at  a  cost  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  Here  Mr.  Spurgeon 
has  since  preached  to  large  congregations,  the  house 
having  seats  for  fifty-five  hundred  people,  and  stand- 
ing-room for  one  thousand  more.  When  the  church 
took  possession  of  the  Tabernacle  it  had  a  member- 
ship of  eleven  hundred  and  seventy-eight ;  the  mem- 
bership is  now  upward  of  five  thousand.  Connected 
with  the  church  are  "The  Pastor's  College,"  for  the 
training  of  young  men  for  the  ministry,  and  many 
benevolent  institutions,  including  almshouses  and  or- 
phan asylums.  Since  1868,  Mr.  Spurgeon's  brother, 
Rev.  James  A.  Spurgeon,  has  been  associated  with 
him  as  assistant  pastor. 

Mr.  Spurgeon's  sermons  have  been  published  each 
week,  and  very  widely  circulated,  either  in  the  preach- 
er's own  tongue  or  in  translations.  He  has  also  pub- 
lished many  valuable  works,  of  which  especial  mention 
should  be  made  of  his  "  Commentary  on  the  Psalms," 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  205 

in  seven  volumes,  entitled  ''^The  Treasury  of  David." 
In  1866,  he  published  "Our  Own  Hymn  Book,  a  Col- 
lection of  Psalms  and  Hymns  for  Public,  Social  and 
Private  Worship."  In  this  admirable  collection  two 
hundred  and  twenty  authors  are  represented  by  eleven 
hundred  and  twenty-nine  hymns.  Mr.  Spurgeon's 
own  contributions  were  fourteen  psalms  and  ten 
hymns,  with  three  which  he  had  altered.  Of  the 
hymns  a  favorite  is  that  which  commences, 

Sweetly  the  holy  hymn 

Breaks  on  the  morning  air; 
Before  the  world  with  smoke  is  dim 

We  meet  to  offer  prayer. 

But  the  hymn  by  Mr.  Spurgeon,  which  he  himself 
likes  best,  and  which  has  become  best  known  perhaps, 
having  found  its  way  into  many  collections,  is  the 
following : 

The  Holy  Ghost  is  here, 

Where  saints  in  prayer  agree ; 
As  Jesus'  parting  gift,  he's  near 

Each  pleading  company. 

IsTot  far  away  is  he, 

To  be  by  prayer  brought  nigh; 
But  here  in  present  majesty, 

As  in  his  courts  on  high. 

He  dwells  within  our  soul, 

An  ever  welcome  guest; 
He  reigns  with  absolute  control 

As  monarch  in  the  breast. 

Our  bodies  are  his  shrine, 

And  he  th'  indwelling  Lord; 
All  hail,  thou  Comforter  divine  I 
Be  evermore  adored. 

Obedient  to  thy  will, 

We  wait  to  feel  thy  power; 
O  Lord  of  life,  our  hopes  fulfil, 

And  bless  this  hallowed  hour. 


200  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

MARIANNE  FARNINGHAM  HEARN. 

1834  . 

This  popular  English  authoress  was  born  at  Farn- 
ingham,  Kent,  December  17,  1834.  Her  Christian  and 
family  name  is  simply  Marianne  Hearn,  but  she  is 
best  known  by  the  nom  de  plume  of  Marianne  Farning- 
ham,  Avhich  she  adopted  at  the  commencement  of  her 
literary  career.  For  the  last  twenty-one  years  she 
has  resided  at  Northampton,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  College  Street  in  that  town.  In  a 
letter  to  the  writer  she  says:  "The  greatest  thing 
about  me  is  my  Young  Woman's  Bible  Class,  which  I 
hold  in  Mr.  Brown's  Chapel  on  Sunday  afternoons, 
consisting  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  members,  of  all 
classes  and  denominations." 

Her  literary  work  has  been  chiefly  done  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Christian  World  newspaper,  on  whose 
staff  she  has  been  from  the  commencement  of  its  pub- 
lication. A  large  number  of  her  contributions  to  this 
paper  have  been  reprinted,  making  more  than  twenty 
volumes,  such  as  "  Songs  of  Sunshine,"  i'  Gilbert,  and 
Other  Poems,"  "Songs  and  Lyrics  of  the  Blessed 
Life,"  etc.  Miss  Hearn  is  also  editor  of  the  Sunday 
School  Times,  a  cheap  weekly  publication  for  the  use 
of  Sunday-school  teachers  in  England.  Occasion- 
ally, too,  she  appears  on  the  lecture  platform.  Her 
addresses  are  characterized  by  the  modesty  and  quiet 
earnestness  of  her  manner,  as  well  as  by  the  clearness 
of  her  utterance,  and  the  appropriateness  and  justice 
of  her  sentiments. 

The  most  popular  of  her  hymns  is  one  with  the 
refrain  "  Waiting  and  Watching  for  Me,"  which  first 
appeared  in  the  Christian  World,  in  the  autumn  of 
1864.  With  a  new  first  stanza,  and  the  omission  of 
the  fourth,  this  hymn  is  included  in  Sankey's 
"  Sacred  Sono-s  and  Solos."  It  is  sriven  below  in  its 
original  form  as  supplied  by  the  authoress. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  207 

When  mysterious  whispers  are  floating  about, 

And  voices  that  will  not  be  still 

Shall  summon  me  hence  from  the  slippery  shore 

To  the  waves  that  are  silent  and  chill ; 

"When  I  look  with  changed  eyes  at  the  house  of  the  blest, 

Far  out  of  the  reach  of  the  sea,  — 

"Will  any  one  stand  at  the  Beautiful  Gate 

"Waiting  and  watching  for  me  ? 

There  are  little  ones  glancing  about  on  my  path 

In  need  of  a  friend  and  a  guide; 

There  are  dim  little  eyes  looking  up  into  mine 

"Whose  tears  could  be  easily  dried. 

But  Jesus  may  beckon  the  children  away 

In  the  midst  of  their  grief  or  their  glee; 

"Will  any  of  these  at  the  Beautiful  Gate 

Be  waiting  and  watching  for  me  ? 

There  are  old  and  forsaken  who  linger  awhile 

In  homes  which  their  dearest  have  left, 

And  an  action  of  love  or  a  few  gentle  words 

Might  cheer  the  sad  spirit  bereft. 

But  the  reaper  is  near  to  the  long-standing  corn, 

The  weary  shall  soon  be  set  free ; 

"Will  any  of  these  at  the  Beautiful  Gate 

Be  waiting  and  watching  for  me  ? 

There  are  dear  ones  at  home  I  may  bless  with  my  love, 

There  are  wretched  ones  pacing  the  street; 

There  are  friendless  and  suffering  strangers  around; 

There  are  tempted  and  poor  I  must  meet; 

There  are  many  unthought  of,  whom  happy  and  blest 

In  the  land  of  the  good  I  shall  see, 

"Will  any  of  these  at  the  Beautiful  Gate 

Be  waiting  and  watching  for  me  ? 

I  may  be  brought  there  by  the  unbounded  grace 

Of  the  Savior  who  loves  to  forgive, 

Though  I  bless  not  the  hungr}'  ones  near  to  my  side. 

But  pray  for  myself  while  I  live ; 

But  I  think  I  should  mourn  o'er  my  selfish  neglect. 

If  sorrow  in  heaven  can  be, 

If  no  one  should  stand  at  the  Beautiful  Gate, 

"Waiting  and  watching  for  me. 


208  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Other  well  known  hymns  by  Miss  Hearn  are  the 
followmg  ("  School  Hymnal,"  numbers  303,  320 j: 

Hail,  the  children's  festal  day, 
and 

Father,  who  givest  us  now  the  new  year. 


FREDERICK  H.  ROBARTS. 

1835  . 

Rev.  Frederick  Hall  Robarts,  formerly  of  Liv- 
erpool, now  pastor  of  the  Hillhead  Baptist  church, 
Glasgow,  was  born  in  London,  in  March,  1835.  He 
studied  at  University  College,  London,  and  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Edinburgh,  and  commenced  his  ministry  in 
1859,  in  Liverpool.  He  continued  in  the  pastorate  of 
the  Richmond  Chapel  in  that  city  until  1883,  when  he 
removed  to  his  present  sphere  of  labor.  Mr.  Robarts 
has  written  some  hymns  for  children,  three  of  which 
have  appeared  in  "  Psalms  and  Hymns  for  School  and 
Home  "  (1882),  viz  : 

"  In  the  name  of  Jesus," 
"  O  bless  the  Lord  and  praise," 
and  the  following: 

O  Lord,  our  Strength  and  Kefuge, 

Behold  us  drawing  near, 
To  supplicate  thy  blessing 

Upon  this  opening  year; 
What  days  may  be  before  us, 

Not  one  of  us  can  tell; 
O  satisfy  us  early, 

With  grace  to  spend  them  well. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  209 

And  early  in  our  lifetime, 

While  all  is  fresh  and  new, 
Descend  upon  our  spirits 

As  fertilizing  dew; 
Let  not  the  years  pass  o'er  us, 

And  leave  us  far  from  thee. 
But  satisfy  us  early, 

With  fervent  piety. 

And  early  every  morning, 

Before  the  strife  begins, 
With  world  and  flesh  and  devil. 

With  toils  and  cares  and  sins. 
To  do  our  daily  duties 

May  we  our  hearts  prepare. 
And  always  seek  thee  early. 

In  Scripture  and  in  prayer. 

O  satisfy  us  early, 

With  grace  and  peace  and  love, 
And  showers  of  thy  mercy, 

Descending  from  above; 
That  following  our  Savior, 

Obedient  to  his  voice, 
Through  all  our  days  with  gladness 

And  praise  we  may  rejoice. 


EDWARD  H.  JACKSON. 

1838  . 

Rev.  Edward  H.  Jackson  was  born  in  Birmingham, 
April  12,  1838,  his  father  being  a  civil  engineer  in  the 
employ  of  the  Government.  He  was  brought  up  a 
Congregationalist,  but  became  a  Baptist  in  1856,  and 
a  Baptist  minister,  in  the  General  Baptist  section  of 
the  denomination,  in  1859.  His  first  station  was  in 
Liverpool  for  two  years.  Since  then,  he  has  been 
pastor  at  Billesdon  and  Castle  Donnington,  in  Leicester- 
14 


210  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

shire,  at  Ripley,  in  Derbyshire,  and  at  South,  in  Lin- 
colnshire. 

Mr.  Jackson  has  been  a  frequent  lecturer  in  behalf 
of  the  Society  for  the  Liberation  of  Religion  from 
State  Patronage,  etc.  Most  of  his  hymns  have  been 
written  for  Sunday-school  anniversaries.  Three  were 
first  published  in  the  "  Baptist  Hymnal,"  and  seven 
others  in  the  "School  Hymnal"  (London,  1880). 
Several  have  been  introduced  into  other  collections  of 
hymns  for  the  young.  The  following  is  301  in  the 
"School  Hymnal": 

The  Golden  Land  is  shining 

Beyond  the  azure  sky, 
Its  pearly  gates  are  massive 

Its  jasper  walls  are  high ; 
Its  warders  are  the  angels, 

And  evermore  they  keep 
The  splendors  of  its  pavement 

Untouched  by  sinful  feet. 

'T  is  true  that  land  is  peopled 

By  those  that  dwelt  below; 
But  there  they  walk  in  raiments 

As  stainless  as  the  snow; 
Their  souls'  transparent  beauty 

Undimraed  by  thought  of  sin, 
They  outwardly  are  lovely, 

And  glorious  within. 

On  earth  e'en  little  children 

Are  sinful  and  defiled, 
But  yonder  both  are  sinless 

The  angel  and  the  child. 
O  say,  can  we  attain  to 

This  beautiful  estate  ? 
Who  '11  lead  us  to  that  kingdom, 

And  turn  the  mighty  gate  ? 

O  there  is  one  to  lead  us, 

One  who  was  crucified; 
Whose  living  word  is  speaking 

To  tell  us  why  he  died. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  211 

His  precious  blood  can  cleanse  us 

And  make  us  fit  to  stand 
With  all  his  shining  angels 

Within  the  Golden  Land. 

The  Golden  Land  is  shining 

Beyond  the  azure  sky, 
Its  pearly  gates  are  massive 

Its  jasper  walls  are  high; 
But  all  its  angels  call  us, 

And  stretch  a  loving  hand. 
For  Christ  has  bid  them  help  us 

To  reach  the  Golden  Land. 


CHARLES  CLARK. 

1838  . 

Mr.  Clark  is  chiefly  known  as  an  eloquent  preacher 
and  lecturer.  He  was  born  in  London,  April  19,  1838, 
studied  at  the  General  Baptist  College  near  Notting- 
ham, and,  in  1862,  began  his  ministry  at  Halifax, 
Yorkshire.  He  was  subsequently  pastor  at  Mazepond, 
London,  and  of  the  ancient  and  important  Baptist 
church  in  Broadmead,  Bristol.  In  1869,  he  accepted 
an  invitation  to  take  charge  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Albert  Street,  Melbourne,  Australia.  He  returned 
from  Australia  in  1879,  and  after  an  interval  of  two 
years,  employed  chiefly  in  lecturing,  became  the  first 
minister  of  a  beautiful  chapel,  newly  erected,  at 
EaUng,  a  suburb  of  London,  where,  through  his  labors, 
a  niunerous  congregation  had  been  gathered.  Mr. 
Clark  has  not  attempted  much  as  a  hymn  writer,  but 
in  the  "School  Hymnal,"  a  Baptist  collection  of  hymns 
for  the  young,  he  is  represented  by  the  following : 

Jesus,  holy  Savior, 

Shepherd  of  the  sheep, 
In  this  world  of  danger 

Me  in  safety  keep. 


212  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

While  through  life  I  journey, 
Deign  to  be  my  guide; 

Let  me  never  wander 
From  thy  sheltering  side. 

Tender  flowers  are  blooming 

By  the  sunlit  way; 
Birds  and  bees  make  music 

Through  the  summer  day; 
All  the  joys  of  childhood 

Xow  my  spirit  greet; 
But  that  thou  art  near  me 

Makes  my  life  most  sweet. 

If  through  gloomy  valleys 

Life's  rough  path  shall  lie, 
Let  thy  staff  of  comfort 

Evermore  be  nigh. 
Then  no  threatening  evil 

Shall  my  heart  affright, 
"While  I  feel  my  Shepherd 

Near  me  iu  the  night. 

When  in  thy  good  pleasure 

Earthly  life  shall  cease, 
May  thy  gentle  presence 

Fill  my  heart  with  peace. 
May  thy  holy  angels 

Bear  my  soul  above, 
There  to  rest  forever 

In  my  Savior's  love. 


THOMAS  V.  TYMNS. 

1842  . 

It  is  well  that  in  the  church  of  Christ  there  should 
always  be  some  men  fitted  by  intellect  and  culture  to 
grapple  with  the  deeper  questions  of  theology  and 
philosophy.  Such  a  man  is  Rev.  Thomas  Vincent 
Tymns.     He  was  born  in  Westminster,  London,  Jan- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  2ia 

uary  5,  1842.  After  receiving  an  education  for  the 
ministry  at  the  Baptist  College  in  Regent's  Park,  he 
became,  in  1865,  pastor  at  Berwick-on-Tweed.  Thence, 
in  1868,  he  removed  to  Accrington,  and,  in  1869,  to 
London,  where  he  now  ministers  to  an  inteUigent  and 
influential  congregation  in  the  Downs  Chapel,  Clapton. 
In  1885,  Mr.  Tymns  published  a  very  able  book  en- 
titled "  The  Mystery  of  God,  a  Consideration  of  some 
Intellectual  Hindrances  to  Faith"  (London,  Elliot 
Stock).  The  public  appreciation  of  it  was  shown  in 
the  fact  that  before  the  end  of  1886,  a  second  edition 
was  called  for.  But  the  study  of  very  grave  questions 
has  not  prevented  Mr.  Tymns  from  employing  his 
pen  occasionally  in  sacred  song.  He  has  written 
several  hymns,  of  which  the  following  has  been  intro- 
duced into  several  hymn  books  : 

Another  Sabbath  ended, 

Its  peaceful  hours  all  flown, 
We  come  to  close  its  worship, 

O  Lord,  before  thy  throne. 
We  bless  thee  for  this  earnest 

Of  better  rest  above ; 
This  token  of  thy  kindness. 

This  pledge  of  boundless  love. 

We  would  prolong  its  moments, 

And  linger  yet  a  while 
Amid  its  closing  shadows, 

Illumined  by  thy  smile. 
Our  souls  shall  know  no  darkness 

While  we  may  look  to  thee ; 
Our  eyes  shall  ne'er  grow  weary 

While  we  thy  face  can  see. 

O  Jesus!  our  dear  Savior, 

To  thee  our  songs  we  raise; 
Our  hearts,  by  care  untroubled, 

Uplift  themselves  in  praise. 
For  to  God's  truce  with  labor 

More  glory  thou  hast  given; 
And  Sabbaths  now  are  sweeter. 

Since  Christ  the  Lord  has  risen. 


214  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

O  Lord!  again  we  bless  thee 

For  such  a  day  as  this ;  ^ 

So  rich  in  ancient  glories, 

So  bright  with  hopes  of  bliss. 
O !  may  we  reach  thy  perfect, 

Thine  endless,  day  of  rest; 
Then  lay  our  earth-worn  spirits, 

Upon  our  Father's  breast  1 

The  first  lines  of  other  hymns  written  by  Mr.  Tymns 
are 

"  O  Lord  of  glory  be  my  light," 
*'  Almighty  God!    by  thee  of  old," 
"  Lord,  I  read  of  tender  mercy." 


JOHN  M.  WIGNER. 

1844  . 

John  Murch  "Wigner,  second  and  only  surviving 
son  of  Rev.  J.  T.  Wigner,  was  born  in  Lynn,  Essex, 
June  10,  1844.  He  was  educated  at  the  Lynn  Gram- 
mar School,  and  afterward  was  graduated  b.a.  and  b.sc, 
in  the  London  University.  He  now  resides  near  Lon- 
don, and  has  been  for  many  years  in  the  India  Home 
Civil  Service.  As  a  member  of  his  father's  church, 
he  has  done  much  to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare 
of  the  young.  Scores,  if  not  hundreds,  have  been 
brought  to  God  through  him.  He  is  the  author  of 
several  hymns,  three  of  which  appear  in  the  Baptist 
hymn  books: 

"  Lost  one,  wandering  on  in  sadness," 
"  Lo,  a  loving  Friend  is  waiting," 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  215 


and  the  following : 

Come  to  the  Savior  now  I 

He  gently  calleth  thee; 
In  true  repentance  bow, 

Before  him  bend  the  knee. 
He  waiteth  to  bestow 

Salvation,  peace  and  love, 
True  joy  on  earth  below, 

A  home  in  heaven  above. 

Come  to  the  Savior  now! 

Gaze  on  that  crimson  tide  — 
Water  and  blood  —  that  flow 

Forth  from  his  wounded  side. 
Hark  to  that  suffering  One  — 

"  'Tis  finished,"  now  he  cries. 
Redemption's  work  is  done, 

Then  bows  his  head  and  dies. 

Come  to  the  Savior  now  I 

He  suffered  all  for  thee. 
And  in  his  merits  thou 

Hast  an  unfailing  plea. 
No  vain  excuses  frame, 

For  feelings  do  not  stay; 
None  who  to  Jesus  came 

Were  ever  sent  away. 

Come  to  the  Savior  now  I 

Ye  who  have  wandei-ed  far. 
Renew  your  solemn  vow, 

For  his  by  right  you  are. 
Come  like  poor  wandering  sheep, 

Returning  to  his  fold. 
His  arm  will  safely  keep, 

His  love  will  ne'er  grow  cold. 

Come  to  the  Savior  all  I 

Whate'er  your  burden  be; 
Hear  now  his  loving  call  — 

"  Cast  all  your  care  on  me." 
Come,  and  for  every  grief 

In  Jesus  you  will  find 
A  sure  and  safe  relief, 

A  loving  friend  and  kind. 


216  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

WILLIAM  H.  PARKER. 

1845  . 


"William  Henry  Parker  is  an  interesting  example 
of  what  can  be  accomplished  by  an  English  working- 
man  in  the  way  of  self-culture.  He  was  born  March 
4,  1845,  at  New  Basford,  a  manufacturing  suburb  of 
the  town  of  Nottingham.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he 
became  an  apprentice  in  the  machine  construction 
department  of  a  large  lace  manufactory  in  his  native 
place,  and  still  continues  in  the  employ  of  the  same 
firm.  Early  in  life  he  began  to  write  verses,  and  hav- 
ing united  with  a  General  Baptist  church,  and  become 
interested  in  Sunday-schools,  was  led  to  compose 
hymns  for  use  on  anniversary  occasions.  Every  year 
he  produces  one  or  two  for  this  purpose.  Three  of 
these  hymns  were  introduced  by  his  pastor,  Rev.  W. 
R.  Stevenson,  into  the  "School  Hymnal"  (1880),  and 
soon  found  their  way  into  other  collections  of  hymns 
for  the  young. 

In  1882,  Mr.  Parker  published  a  small  volume  enti- 
tled "The  Princess  Alice,  and  Other  Poems."  In  the 
poets'  corner  of  the  local  newspapers  his  compositions 
not  unfrequently  have  a  place.  The  following  are 
the  first  Hues  of  the  hymns  to  which  reference  above 
is  made : 

"  Children  know  but  little," 
"Jesus,  I  so  often  need  thee," 
"  Holy  Spirit,  hear  us." 

All  these  are  characterized  by  a  simplicity  of  language 
which  renders  them  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  use  of 
children.  Owing  probably  to  the  fact  that  there  are 
but  few  hymns  addressed  to  the  Holy  Spirit,  which 
are  found  in  collections  for  children,  the  third  of  these 
hymns  has  been  introduced  into  a  number  of  modern 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  217 

Sunday-school  hymn  books.     As  found  in  the  "School 
Hymnal"  this  hymn  is  as  follows: 

Holy  Spirit,  hear  us; 

Help  us  while  we  sing; 
Breathe  into  the  music 

Of  the  praise  we  bring. 

Holy  Spirit,  prompt  us 

When  we  kneel  to  pray; 
Kearer  come,  and  teach  us 

What  we  ought  to  say. 

Holy  Spirit,  shine  thou 
On  the  Book  we  read; 
•  Gild  its  holy  pages 

With  the  light  we  need. 

Holy  Spirit,  give  us 

Each  a  lowly  mind; 
Make  us  more  like  Jesus, 

Gentle,  pure  and  kind. 

Holy  Spirit,  brighten 

Little  deeds  of  toil; 
And  our  playful  pastimes 

Let  no  folly  spoil. 

Holy  Spirit,  keep  us 

Safe  from  sins  which  lie 
Hidden  by  some  pleasure 

From  our  youthful  eye. 

Holy  Spirit,  help  us 

Daily  by  thy  might. 
What  is  wrong  to  conquer, 

And  to  choose  the  right. 


218  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

FREDERIC  W.  GOADBY. 

1845-1879. 

Rev.  Frederic  William  Goadbt  was  the  sixth  son 
of  Rev.  Joseph  Goadby  and  a  younger  brother  of  Rev. 
Thomas  Goadby.  He  was  born  at  Leicester,  August 
10,  1845,  educated  at  the  Loughborougli  Grammar 
School;  in  1862,  he  entered  Regent's  Park  College, 
London,  as  "  Wood  Scholar,"  and  was  graduated  m.a.  in 
the  London  University  in  1868.  From  1868,  to  1876, 
he  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Bluntisham.  He 
then  removed  to  Watford,  where,  after  a  brief,  bright 
course,  he  died,  much  lamented,  October  15j  1879. 
He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  promising  young 
ministers  in  the  denomination,  and  his  apparently  pre- 
mature departure  was  felt  to  be  a  public  loss. 

Mr.  Goadby  was  the  author  of  several  good  hymns. 
Two  of  these  were  written  for  the  opening  of  new 
places  of  worship  : 

O  thou,  whose  hand  has  brought  us, 

and 

Our  father's  Friend  and  God, 

both  of  which  are  found  in  "  Psalms  and  Hymns  '* 
(1246  and  1248).  The  others  were  hymns  for  the 
young: 

O  Lord,  the  children  come  to  thee, 

and  the  following  ("  School  Hymnal,"  172) : 

A  crowd  fills  the  court  of  the  temple, 

A  sound  as  of  praise  stirs  the  air, 
Jerusalem  thrills  with  emotion. 

The  Lord  of  the  temple  is  there! 
In  vain  is  the  priestly  displeasure 

To  silence  the  anthems  that  ring; 
Hosanna!  Hosanna!  Hosanna! 

The  children  all  joyfully  sing. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  219 

And  if  in  this  temple  of  worship, 

Where  now  we  are  met  in  his  name, 
The  Lord  should  appear  in  his  beauty, 

Himself  his  own  Gospel  proclaim, 
What  anthems  of  grateful  devotion, 

Around  him  would  echo  and  ring; 
Hosannal  Hosannal  Hosannal 

The  children  would  joyfully  sing. 

LordI  make  each  young  heart  thine  own  temple, 

Keveal  thy  sweet  presence  within, 
Illumine  our  minds  by  thy  coming, 

Expel  every  longing  for  sin ; 
And  when  in  our  souls  we  adore  thee, 

How  pure  the  glad  praise  we  shall  bring! 
Hosanna!  Hosannal   Hosannal 

The  children  will  joyfully  sing. 

And  when  in  that  temple  of  glory. 

Where  falls  never  shadow  of  night. 
Where  sorrow  and  sin  never  sadden, 

And  thou  shalt  thyself  be  the  light; 
When  round  thee  the  ransomed  are  thronging, 

High  heaven  with  their  praises  will  ring. 
Hosanna!  Hosanna!  Hosanna! 

Thy  children  forever  will  sing. 


JAMES  T.  ROBERTS. 

1850  . 

James  Thomas  Roberts  was  born  at  Suton,  Bed- 
fordshire, December  22,  1850.  He  was  educated  for 
the  ministry  at  the  Baptist  College,  Chilwell,  near 
Nottingham,  and,  in  1874,  became  pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  at  Retford,  Nottinghamshire.  Subse- 
quently he  labored  at  Grimsley,  and  at  Westvale,  near 
Halifax,  Yorkshire.  Among  the  Baptist  churches  of 
Yorkshire  the  Sunday-school  anniversary  is  the  great 


220  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

festival  of  the  year,  and  during  Mr.  Roberts'  residence 
at  Westvale  he  composed  several  hymns  for  use  on 
these  occasions, 

"  O  Jesus,  blessed  Jesus," 

"  Onward,  children,  onward," 

"  Toil  on,  teachers," 

"  Again  unto  Jesus  our  Savior," 

and  others.  These  hymns  were  sung  at  various  places 
in  the  district,  but  only  one  has  found  its  way  into 
the  hymn  books.  Mr.  Roberts  is  now  again  residing 
at  Suton,  his  native  place,  engaged  in  business,  but 
preaching  on  most  Lord's-days  in  the  villages  adja- 
cent. The  following  is  from  the  "School  Hymnal" 
(141) : 

O  Jesus,  blessed  Jesus  I 

Who  art  the  children's  Friend, 
Hear  thou  our  grateful  praises, 

"While  at  thy  feet  we  bend; 
As  thou  hast  deigned  to  welcome  — 

As  thou  hast  deigned  to  bless 
The  little  ones  who  love  thee,  — 

Around  thee  now  we  press. 

Bless  even  us,  dear  Jesus! 

For  O,  we  long  to  know 
The  peace,  the  joy  and  gladness, 

Thou  only  canst  bestow. 
To  know  thee,  and  to  love  thee. 

Be  this  our  early  choice, 
That  all  along  life's  journey 

In  thee  we  may  rejoice. 

We  love  thy  name,  dear  Jesus. 

No  other  name  is  given 
That  is  to  us  so  precious. 

That  is  so  dear  to  heaven ; 
It  tells  us  of  a  Savior, 

It  tells  us  of  a  Friend 
Who  will  with  loving  favor 

To  all  our  wants  attend. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  221 

O  guide  us,  blessed  Jesus! 

Amid  the  snares  of  youth, 
For  well  we  know  our  proneness 

To  leave  the  paths  of  truth. 
May  thy  kind  arms  enfold  us 

So  near  thy  loving  heart, 
That  sheltered  and  defended, 

We  nevermore  may  part. 

We  look  to  thee,  dear  Jesus! 

Our  hope  is  stayed  on  thee ; 
O  make  us  now,  and  keep  us 

Thine  own  eternally. 
And,  when  no  more  thy  children 

Shall  sing  thy  praises  here, 
May  parents,  teachers,  scholars, 

Meet  in  yon  heavenly  sphere. 


WALTER  J.  MATHAMS. 
1853  . 

Walter  John  Mathams  is  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  Folkirk,  Scotland.  He  was  born  in  London, 
October  30,  1853.  In  early  life  he  went  to  sea,  and 
had  an  eventful  experience,  being  at  one  time  ship- 
wrecked, and  at  another  imprisoned  as  a  forced  recruit 
for  the  Brazilian  army  during  a  war  with  Paraguay. 
On  his  return  home  he  began  to  study  for  the  minis- 
try, and  entered  Regent's  Park  College  in  1874.  His 
first  pastoral  charge  was  at  Preston,  in  Lancashire,  but 
health  failing  he  went  for  a  time  to  Australia.  Again 
returning  to  Great  Britain,  in  1883,  he  became  pastor 
of  the  church  to  which  he  now  ministers. 

Whilst  a  student  at  Regent's  Park,  Mr.  Mathams 
published  a  small  collection  of  hymns  and  poems,  en- 
titled "  At  Jesus'  Feet"  (1876).  He  has  since  written 
a  number  of  small  religious  books  of  a  popular  charac- 


222  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

ter,  such  as  "  Fireside  Parables,"  "  Sunday  Parables," 
and  "  Bristles  for  Brooms." 

Several  of  Mr.  Mathams'  hymns  are  to  be  found  in 
the  English  "  Baptist  Hymnal,"  "  Psalms  and  Hymns," 
and  "  Psalms  and  Hymns  for  School  and  Home."  The 
following  is  318  in  the  "  Baptist  Hymnal "  : 

My  heart,  O  God,  be  wholly  thine, 
I  would  not  keep  it  back  from  thee; 
Nor  wish  to  shun  the  grace  divine 
Which  asks  this  humble  gift  of  me. 

0  take  it  now,  and  let  thy  love 
For  ever  more  within  me  dwell; 
And  may  thy  spirit  from  above 
Teach  me  to  serve  my  Master  well. 

Afar  be  every  thought  of  sin, 

Afar  be  every  wish  to  stray; 

Let  truth  and  holiness  begin 

To  lead  me  up  the  heavenward  way. 

Make  this  my  only  aim  and  care. 
To  seek  thy  praise  in  all  I  do ; 
To  consecrate  each  act  with  prayer, 
As  I  my  daily  work  pursue. 

More  like  to  thee,  my  blessM  Lord, 

1  would  be,  as  my  days  pass  by, 

With  patience,  love,  and  wisdom  stored, 
Keady  to  live,  and  fit  to  die. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  223 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND   THEIR   HYMNS. 


BENJAMIN  CLEAVLAND. 

1733-1811. 

Ix  many  American  hymn  books,  from  the  beginning 
of  the  century,  place  has  been  given  to  a  hymn  com- 
mencing 

Oh,  could  I  find  from  day  to  day. 

In  the  "  Psalmist,"  it  is  credited  to  "  Church  Psalmody,'* 
and  in  "  Church  Psalmody,"  to  "  Methodist  Coll."  In 
the  "  Plymouth  Collection,"  it  is  credited  to  the  "  Hart- 
ford Selection."  In  some  other  collections  it  is  marked 
"  Anon."  It  has  at  length  been  ascertained  —  and  the 
discovery  is  due  to  Rev.  S.  Dryden  Phelps,  d.d.,  of 
Hartford,  Conn.,  —  that  this  well  known  hymn  was 
written  by  Benjamin  Cleavland.  In  a  communication 
in  the  Watchman  and  Reflector,  December  22,  1870, 
Dr.  Phelps  announced  his  discovery.  "  A  little,  old 
leather-bound  book "  had  fallen  into  his  hands,  con- 
taining some  hymns  by  Benjamin  Cleavland,  and 
among  them  was  this  hymn.  "  It  is  the  only  hymn 
by  the  author,"  says  Dr.  Phelps,  "  that  any  compiler 
would  now  think  of  inserting  in  a  book  of  psalmody." 
This  old  leather-bound  hymn  book  is  the  property  of 
Hon.  J.  H.  Trumbull,  ll.d.,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  and 
its  title  in  full  is  as  follows:  '^'^  Hymns  on  Different 
Spiritual  Subjects.  In  two  Parts.  Part  I.  Containing 
xxiv  Hymns,  on  various  subjects,  suitable  for  Chris- 
tian   Worship.      By    Benjamin    Cleavland.       Fourth 


224  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Edition.  Part  II.  Containing  xxxii  Hymns  by  Anna 
Beeman,  of  Warren  in  Connecticut,  and  xxiv  Hymns 
by  Amos  Wells.  To  which  is  added  a  number  of  Hymns, 
by  different  Authors.  Particularly  Adapted  to  the 
Baptist  Worship.  Norwich :  Connecticut.  Printed  by 
John  Trumbull,  mdccxcii.  With  the  Privilege  of 
Copy  Right."  Dr.  Trumbull's  copy  of  this  hymn 
book,  printed  by  his  grandfather,  is  an  imperfect  one, 
ending  with  p.  112.  The  date  of  publication  is  un- 
certain. Dr.  Trumbull  says,  "  The  margin  of  the  page, 
at  this  point,  is  worn,  and  I  am  not  sure  of  the  date, 
which  may  have  been  mdccxciii." 

As  printed  in  this  collection,  Mr.  Cleavland's  h3rmn 
contains  six  stanzas,  and  is  as  follows : 

O  could  I  find  from  day  to  day 

A  nearness  to  my  God; 
Then  should  my  hours  glide  sweet  away 

And  lean  upon  thy  Word. 

Lord,  I  desire  with  thee  to  live, 

Anew  from  day  to  day, 
In  joys  the  world  can  never  give 

Nor  never  take  away. 

O  Jesus,  come  and  rule  my  heart 

And  I  '11  be  wholly  thine. 
And  never,  never  more  depart, 

For  thou  art  wholly  mine. 

Thus,  till  my  last  expiring  breath, 

Thy  goodness  I  '11  adore ; 
And  when  my  flesh  dissolves  in  death 

My  soul  shall  love  thee  more. 

Through  boundless  grace  I  then  shall  spend 

An  everlasting  day 
In  the  embraces  of  my  friend, 

Who  took  my  guilt  away. 

That  worthy  name  shall  have  the  praise 

To  whom  all  praise  is  due ; 
While  angels  and  archangels  gaze 

On  scenes  forever  new. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  225 

'~  This  hymn,  in  its  original  form,  has  a  place  in 
"  Divine  Hymns,  or  Spiritual  Songs ;  for  the  use  of 
Religious  Assemblies  and  Private  Christians.  Being 
a  collection  by  Joshua  Smith  —  and  others.  Eighth 
Edition.  With  large  additions  and  alterations  by 
William  Northup,  v.d.m.,  Norwich.  Printed  and 
Sold  by  John  Sterry  &  Co.,  mdccxcvii."  Mr. 
Cleavland's  hymn  appeared  in  an  altered  form  in  the 
"Hartford  Selection,"  1799.  In  Dr.  Nettleton's 
"  Village  Hymns,"  1826,  it  appears  substantially  in  its 
present  form,  with  four  stanzas. 

Dea.  Benjamin  Cleavland  (correctly  Cleveland), 
was  born  in  Windham,  Conn.,  August  30,  1733.  He 
was  first  cousin  of  Rev.  Aaron  Cleveland,  the  ancestor 
of  President  Cleveland.  Mr.  Cleveland  married  first  at 
Windham,  February  20,  1754,  Mary  Elderkin;  second 
at  Scotland,  Conn.,  March  25, 1784,  Sarah  Hibbert,  who 
was  probably  a  sister,  or  a  near  relative,  of  Dea.  Hib- 
bert, the  author  of  a  number  of  hymns  in  "  Hymns  on 
Different  Spiritual  Subjects."  His  twelve  children, 
one  of  whom.  Rev.  Nathan  Cleveland,  was  a  Baptist 
minister,  were  all  by  his  first  marriage.  After  the 
expulsion  of  the  Acadians  from  Nova  Scotia,  numer- 
ous families  removed  from  New  England  and  occupied 
their  vacant  lands.  With  them  came  Benjamin  Cleav- 
land and  settled  at  Horton,  now  Wolfville.  Of  the 
Horton  Baptist  Church,  which  was  established  near 
the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century,  he  became  a 
member.  He  died  at  Wolfville,  March  9,  1811,  and 
was  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  on  Main  Street.  Dr. 
Edward  Young,  for  many  years  Chief  of  the  Bureau 
of  Statistics  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  now  United 
States  consul  at  Windsor,  N.  S.,  is  a  descendant  of 
Benjamin  Cleavland. 
15 


226  BAPTIST  IIYMX  WRITERS 

THOMAS  BALDWIN. 

1753-1826. 

Rev.  Thomas  Baldwin,  d.d.,  the  only  son  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  Baldwin,  was  born  in  Bozrah, 
Conn.,  December  23,  1753.  His  father,  who  died 
while  his  son  was  a  youth,  rose  to  distinction  in  the 
colonial  military  service.  His  mother,  a  woman  of 
vigorous  intellect  and  elevated  piety,  remarried  when 
her  son  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  the  fam- 
ily removed  to  Canaan,  N.  H.  Here  Thomas  was 
married,  September  22,  1775.  While  yet  a  young 
man,  he  was  elected  to  represent  the  town  of  Canaan 
in  the  legislature,  and  so  satisfactorily  did  he  discharge 
his  duties  that  he  was  repeatedly  elected  to  this  office. 
The  bar  seemed  now  to  open  to  him  a  field  for  dis- 
tinction, and  he  commenced  a  course  of  study,  with 
the  profession  of  law  in  view.  But  God's  plan  was 
otherwise.  In  the  autumn  of  1777,  his  first-born  child 
died,  and  by  this  affliction  his  thoughts  were  directed 
to  sacred  things.  It  was  not  until  the  year  1780, 
however,  that,  in  connection  with  the  labors  of  two 
Baptist  ministers  who  visited  Canaan,  and  held  relig- 
ious services,  that  he  was  led  to  yield  his  heart  to  the 
Savior.  In  the  latter  part  of  1781,  he  was  baptized 
by  Rev.  Elisha  Rawson. 

Such  were  his  convictions  of  duty  that  he  soon  con- 
cluded to  abandon  his  legal  studies  and  devote  himself 
to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  He  com- 
menced to  preach  in  August,  1782,  and  June  11, 
1783,  he  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist  at  Canaan. 
Here,  for  no  stipulated  salary,  he  labored  seven  years, 
performing  much  evangelistic  service  in  destitute 
places. 

In  the  early  part  of  1790,  Mr.  Baldwin  received  an 
invitation  to  visit  the  Baptist  church  in  Sturbridge, 
Mass.,  and  also  that  in  Hampton,  Conn.     At  the  open- 


AKD  THEIR  HYMXS.  227 

ing  of  the  summer  he  left  his  home  to  respond  to 
these  invitations.  On  the  journey  he  received  an 
added  invitation  from  the  Second  Baptist  church  in 
Boston.  The  churches  in  Sturbridge  and  Hampton 
desired  to  secure  his  services  as  pastor.  Proceeding 
to  Boston,  he  preached  in  the  Second  Churchy  July  4, 
1790,  and  a  few  following  Sabbaths.  Here,  also,  he 
received  a  call  to  the  pastorate.  Many  considerations 
seemed  to  indicate  the  path  of  duty,  and  the  call  to 
Boston  was  accepted.  Mr.  Baldwin's  installation  fol- 
lowed, November  11.  Dr.  Stillman  preached  the  ser- 
mon. Dr.  Smith,  of  Haverhill,  gave  the  charge,  Rev. 
Thomas  Green,  of  Cambridge,  presented  the  hand  of 
fellowship,  and  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton,  of  Newton,  of- 
fered the  concluding  prayer.  His  ministry  was 
greatly  blessed.  Revival  followed  revival,  and,  in 
1797,  it  became  necessary,  on  account  of  the  increase 
in  the  congregation,  to  enlarge  the  house.  Repeat- 
edly he  was  chosen  chaplain  of  the  General  Court  of 
Massachusetts,  and,  in  1802,  he  was  appointed  to 
deliver  the  annual  sermon  on  the  day  of  the  General 
Election. 

Beside  the  sermons  already  referred  to,  Dr.  Baldwin 
published  "Open  Communion  Examined"  (1789);  "A 
Friendly  Letter,"  addressed  to  Rev.  Noah  Webster 
(1794),  both  republished  in  1806;  '-A  Series  of  Let- 
ters, in  which  the  Distinguishing  Sentiments  of  the 
Baptists  are  Explained  and  Vindicated,  in  Answer  to 
a  Late  Publication  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Worcester,  A. 
M.,  Addressed  to  the  Author,  Entitled  'Serious  and 
Candid  Letters'  "  (1810);  and  "An  Essay  on  the  Bap- 
tism of  John"  (1820).  He  also  prepared  a  Catechism, 
which  had  passed  through  six  editions  in  1826.  By 
appointment  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society  of 
Massachusetts,  he  commenced,  in  1803,  the  publica- 
tion of  the  "American  Baptist  Magazine,"  then  under 
the  title  of  the  "Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary 
Magazine."     From  its  commencement,  until  1817,  he 


228  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

was  its  soie  editor;  and  from  that  time  until  his  death 
he  was  its  senior  editor.  He  received  the  degree  of 
Master  of  Arts  from  Brown  University  in  1794,  and 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  Union  College 
in  1803. 

Dr.  Baldwin's  death  occurred  August  29,  1826,  at 
Waterville,  Maine,  whither  he  had  gone  to  attend 
the  annual  commencement  of  Waterville  College,  of 
which  he  was  a  trustee.  He  retired  to  rest,  on  the 
evening  of  the  day  of  his  arrival,  apparently  as  well 
as  usual.  After  sleeping  about  an  hour,  he  awoke, 
suddenly  groaned,  and  "was  not,  for  God  took  him." 
At  his  funeral  in  Boston,  September  5,  the  sermon 
was  preached  by  Rev.  Daniel  Sharp,  from  the  words, 
"He  was  a  good  man,"  Acts  xi.  24. 

The  following  well  known  hymn  was  composed  by 
Dr.  Baldwin  during  a  night  journey  from  Newport, 
N.  H.,  to  Canaan.  There  had  been  alienation  in  the 
church  at  Newport,  and  Dr.  Baldwin's  visit  had  re- 
sulted in  a  union  of  its  members. 

rrom  whence  doth  this  union  arise, 

That  hatred  is  conquered  by  love; 
That  fastens  our  souls  in  such  ties, 

As  nature  and  time  can't  remove  ? 

It  cannot  in  Eden  be  found, 

Nor  yet  in  a  Paradise  lost; 
It  grows  on  Immanuel's  ground, 

And  Jesus'  rich  blood  it  did  cost. 

My  friends  are  so  dear  unto  me, 

Our  hearts  all  united  in  love; 
"Where  Jesus  is  gone  we  shall  be, 

In  yonder  blest  mansions  above. 

O,  why  then  so  loath  for  to  part, 
Since  we  shall  ere  long  meet  again  ? 

Engraved  on  Immanuel's  heart, 
At  distance  we  cannot  remain. 


AKD  THEIR  HYMNS.  229 

Though  called  to  resign  up  this  breath, 
And  quit  these  frail  bodies  of  clay, 

When  freed  from  corruption  and  death, 
We  '11  unite  in  the  regions  of  day. 

With  Jesus  we  ever  shall  reign, 
And  all  his  bright  glories  shall  see; 

We  '11  sing  Alleluia,  Amen  I 
Amen!  even  so  let  it  be. 

The   first   lines   of    other   hymns   written    by   Dr. 
Baldwin,  are  as  follows  : 

"  Come,  happy  souls,  adore  the  Lamb," 

"  'T  is  first  of  all  thyself  to  know," 

"  Almighty  Savior,  here  we  stand," 

"  Come,  welcome  this  new  year  of  grace," 

"See  that  ship,  her  sails  now  bending." 

The  last,  entitled  "  The  Parting  Scene,"  was  written 
on  the  sailing  of  the  missionaries,  Wheelock  and  Col- 
man,  with  their  wives,  from  Boston  for  India,  Novem- 
ber 16,  1817. 


JOHN  LELAND. 

1754-1841. 

Elder  John  Leland,  as  he  was  generally  known, 
was  born  in  Grafton,  Mass.,  May  14,  1754.  When 
twenty  years  of  age  he  was  baptized  at  Northbridge 
by  Rev.  Noah  Alden,  of  Bellingham.  Shortly  after- 
ward he  decided,  in  accordance  with  his  conviction  of 
.duty,  to  devote  himself  to  the  work  of  the  Christian 
ministry,  and,  in  the  autumn  of  1774,  he  united  with 
the  Bellingham  Baptist  church,  from  which  he  received 
a  license  to  preach.  In  October,  1775,  he  went  to 
Virginia,  where  he  was  ordained.     He  labored  in  vari- 


230  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

ous  parts  of  that  State,  and  under  his  pungent  preach- 
ino;  of  the  truth  hundreds  were  brouo;ht  to  Christ.  He 
remained  in  Virginia  about  fifteen  years,  and  during 
this  time  he  preached  three  thousand  and  nine  sermons, 
and  baptized  seven  hundred  converts.  Returning  to 
his  native  state,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Cheshire, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  Hfe.  His  evan- 
geUstic  labors  were  continued,  and  the  number  of  the 
persons  he  had  baptized,  down  to  1821,  he  gave  as 
one  thousand  three  hundred  and  fifty-two.  His  last 
sermon  was  preached  at  North  Adams,  Mass.,  January 
8,  1841.  Taken  severely  ill  that  night,  he  lingered 
until  the  evening  of  the  fourteenth,  when  he  gently 
entered  into  rest. 

Mr.  Leland  was  a  prolific  writer.  His  occasional 
sermons  and  addresses  and  essays,  on  a  great  variety 
of  subjects,  moral,  religious  and  political,  were  pub- 
lished, after  his  death,  in  a  large  octavo  volume,  with 
notice  of  his  life  by  Miss  L.  F.  Greene,  of  Lanesborough, 
Mass.  Many  of  his  hymns  are  included  in  this  collec- 
tion. The  best  of  these  is  the  following,  found  in 
most  of  the  hymn  books  of  the  present  day  : 

The  day  is  past  and  gone ; 

The  evening  shades  appear; 
Oh,  may  I  ever  keep  in  mind, 

The  night  of  death  draws  near! 

I  lay  my  garments  by, 

Upon  my  bed  to  rest; 
So  death  shall  soon  disrobe  lis  all 

And  leave  my  soul  undrest. 

Lord  keep  me  safe  this  night, 

Secure  from  all  my  fears ; 
May  angels  guard  me  while  I  sleep, 

Till  morning  light  appears. 

And  when  I  early  rise, 

To  view  the  unwearied  sun, 
May  I  set  out  to  win  the  prize, 

And  after  glory  run. 


AND  THEIR  HYMXS.  231 

And  when  my  days  are  past, 

And  I  from  time  remove, 
Oh,  may  I  in  thy  bosom  rest, 

The  bosom  of  thy  love. 

Of  this  hymn  the  late  Rev.  S.  W.  Duffield  ("English 
Hymns,"  p.  515)  says  :  "There  is  an  Ambrosian  sim- 
plicity about  this  hymn  which  suggests  at  once  a  pure 
and  unaffected  piety,  like  that  of  the  early  church. 
The  piece  is  really  classic  in  its  unpretending  beauty." 
And  he  cites  from  the  "  Century  Magazine,"  Septem- 
ber, 1885,  the  following  incident,  in  which  there  is  a 
reference  to  this  hymn.  It  is  from  a  lady's  record  in 
a  diary  kept  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  (June  5, 
1863),  when  the  house  where  she  lived  was  struck  by 
a  shell. 

"  The  candles  were  useless  in  the  dense  smoke,  and 
it  was  many  minutes  before  we  could  see.  Then 
we  found  the  entire  side  of  the  room  torn  out.  The 
soldiers  who  had  rushed  in  said :  '■  This  is  an  eighty- 
pound  Parrott.'  It  had  entered  though  the  front, 
burst  on  the  pallet-bed  which  was  in  tatters ;  the  toilet 
service  and  everything  else  in  the  room  smashed.     The 

soldiers  assisted  H to  board  up  the  breaks  with 

planks  to  keep  out  prowlers,  and  we  went  to  bed  in 
the  cellar  as  usual.  This  morning  the  yard  is  partially 
ploughed  by  a  couple  that  fell  there  in  the  night.  I 
think  this  house,  so  large  and  prominent  from  the 
river,  is  perhaps  taken  for  headquarters,  and  specially 
shelled.  As  we  descend  at  night  to  the  lower  regions, 
I  think  of  the  evening  hymn  that  grandmother  taught 
me  when  a  child: 

'  Lord,  keep  us  safe  this  night, 
Secure  from  all  our  fears ; 
May  angels  guard  us  while  we  sleep, 
Till  morning  light  appears.'  " 


232  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

The  following  hymns  by  Mr.  Leland,  beside  the  one 
now  given,  were  published  as  early  as  1809: 

"  Wandering  pilgrims,  mourning  Christians," 

"  Blessed  be  God  for  all," 

"  Come  and  taste  along  with  me," 

"  How  arduous  is  the  preacher's  fight," 

"  Brethren,  I  have  come  once  more," 

"  Think,  O  my  soul,  the  dreadful  day," 

"  I  set  myself  against  the  Lord," 

"  Christians,  if  your  hearts  be  warm." 

Writing  concerning  his  labors  in  Virginia  in  1788,  Mr. 
Leland  says :  "I  had  a  meeting  at  John  Lea's,  in 
Louisa,  when  something  seemed  to  descend  on  the 
people,  like  that  which  took  place  at  Mr.  Hodgers' 
[mentioned  before],  but  the  effects  were  not  so  great. 
The  next  day  there  were  five  to  be  baptized.  The  day 
was  very  cold.  While  Mr.  Bowles  was  preaching  to 
the  people,  I  composed  the  hymn, 

Christians,  if  your  hearts  be  warm." 

This  hymn,  a  great  favorite  with  the  fathers,  first 
contained  three  stanzas,  and  three  were  subsequently 
added.     Another  hymn  by  Mr.  Leland, 

Now  the  Savior  stands  a  pleading, 

was  found  in  most  Baptist  collections  a  half  century 
ago.     Mr.  Leland  was  also  the  author  of 

"  Once  there  was  a  precious  season," 
"  Come  heavenly  muse,  inspire  my  heart," 
"  Prostrate  before  our  weeping  eyes," 
"  How  long,  dear  Savior,  O  how  long," 
"  How  solcrau  tlie  rite  we  behold," 
"  If  grace  could  reach  the  dying  thief," 
"  Jesus,  who  reigns  in  heaven  above," 
"  Attending  angels  long  have  waited," 


AND  THEIR  IIYMNS.  233 


"  "When  the  Savior,  long  triumphant," 
"  When  God  revealed  his  grand  design," 
"  Thus  saith  the  eternal  God," 

and  many  other  hymns. 


RICHARD  FURMAN. 
1755-1825. 

Rev.  Richard  Fueman,  d.d.,  vv^as  born  in  Esopus, 
N.  Y.,  in  1755.  His  father,  who  was  a  surveyor,  not 
long  after  removed  to  South  CaroUna,  where  he  set- 
tled at  the  High  Hills  of  San  tee.  The  son  received  a 
good  education  in  the  classics  as  well  as  in  the  English 
branches.  When  sixteen  years  of  age  he  united  with 
the  High  Hills  Baptist  church,  and  two  years  later  he 
commenced  to  preach  to  the  church  of  which  he  was 
a  member.  Gradually  he  extended  his  labors,  and 
through  his  instrumentality  many  churches  were 
organized  in  regions  hitherto  destitute  of  gospel 
privileges. 

During  the  Revolution  he  was  greatly  interested  in 
the  cause  represented  by  the  colonists,  and  especially 
in  the  establishment  of  religious  freedom.  For  awhile 
he  was  obliged  to  leave  South  Carolina  on  account  of 
the  progress  of  the  British  arms,  and  he  made  his 
way  into  North  Carolina,  and  later  into  Virginia. 
While  in  Virginia,  he  had  Patrick  Henry  in  his  Sab- 
bath congregations,  and  was  honored  by  his  friendship. 
When  it  was  safe  for  him  to  return  to  South  Carolina, 
he  remained  awhile  at  High  Hills,  his  former  resi- 
dence, and,  in  1787,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Charleston.  Here 
he  had  a  long  and  eminently  useful  ministry,  and  he 
was  greatly  beloved,  not  only  by  his  own  people,  but 


234  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

by  the  whole  community.  He  was  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  convention  that  framed  the  constitution  of 
South  CaroUna.  In  1814,  in  Philadelphia,  he  presided 
over  the  first  general  convention  of  the  Baptists  of 
the  United  States.  For  several  years  he  w^as  presi- 
dent of  the  South  Carolina  Baptist  Convention.  He 
died  August  25,  1825.  His  last  sermon  was  from  the 
text,  "And  Enoch  walked  with  God,  and  was  not,  for 
God  took  him."  Dr.  W.  B.  Johnson  says:  "It  was  a 
noble  effort,  worthy  of  one  who  was  standing  at  the 
portals  of  heaven."  Referring  to  Dr.  Furman  as  a 
preacher,  Dr.  Johnson  says:  "I  remember  hearing 
him,  more  than  forty  years  ago,  preach  from  the  text, 
'I  am  set  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel.'  It  was  truly 
a  masterly  effort.  Never  shall  I  forget  his  solemn, 
impressive  countenance,  his  dignified  manner,  his 
clear  statements  of  the  gospel  doctrine  and  precepts, 
his  unanswerable  arguments  in  support  of  the  gospel's 
claim  to  a  divine  origin,  the  lofty  sentiments  that  he 
poured  forth,  the  immovable  firmness  with  which  he 
maintained  his  position,  and  the  commanding  elo- 
quence with  which  he  enforced  the  whole  argument." 
Dr.  Furman  was  the  author  of  "Pleasures  of  Piety, 
and  Other  Poems."  The  following  hymn,  written  by 
him,  was  included  by  Andrew  Broaddus  in  his  "  Vir- 
ginia Selection"  (1842),  from  which  it  was  transferred 
to  the  "Baptist  Psalmody"  (1850): 

Sovereign  of  all  the  worlds  above, 

Thy  glory  with  unclouded  rays, 
Shines  through  the  realms  of  light  and  love, 

Inspiring  angels  with  thy  praise. 

Thy  power  we  own,  thy  grace  adore; 

Thou  deign'st  to  visit  men  below! 
Shines  through  the  realms  of  light  and  love, 

Inspiring  angels  with  thy  praise. 

Thy  power  we  own,  thy  grace  adore; 

Thou  deign'st  to  visit  men  below! 
And  in  affliction's  darkest  hour, 

The  humble  shall  thy  mercy  know. 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  235 

I 

These  western  States,  at  thy  command, 

Rose  from  dependence  and  distress; 
Prosperity  now  crowns  the  land, 

And  millions  join  thy  name  to  bless. 

Praise  is  thy  due,  eternal  King! 

We  '11  speak  the  wonders  of  thy  love, 
With  grateful  hearts  our  tribute  bring, 

And  emulate  the  hosts  above. 

O!  be  thou  still  our  guardian  God; 

Preserve  these  States  from  every  foe ; 
Prom  party  rage,  from  scenes  of  blood, 

From  sin,  and  every  pause  of  woe. 

Here  may  the  great  Bedeemer  reign, 

Display  his  grace  and  saving  power! 
Here  liberty  auA  truth  maintain, 

Till  empires  fall  to  rise  no  more. 


OLIVER  HOLDEN. 

1765-1844. 

Oliver  Holdex  is  best  known  as  a  musical  com- 
poser. He  was  the  author  of  ''Coronation,"  the  fa- 
mihar  tune  still  in  use  as  often  as  the  words  are  sung, 

All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name. 

Mr.  Holden  was  the  fifth  in  descent  from  Richard  Hol- 
den,  who,  in  1634,  came  from  England  in  the  good  ship 
"Frances,"  and  settled  in  Ipswich,  Mass.  His  father, 
Nehemiah  Holden,  resided  in  Shirley,  Mass.,  and  there, 
September  17,  1765,  Oliver  Holden  was  born.  Ac- 
cording to  Dr.  F.  L.  Ritter,  Holden  became  a  carpen- 
ter by  trade.  More  and  more,  however,  he  devoted 
his  time  to  music,  and  after  he  made  his  home  in 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  which  w^as  as  early  as  1792,  he 
opened   a   music   store.      Musical    composition    now 


236  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

engaged  his  attention,  and  he  pubhshed  the  following 
works:  "American  Harmony  "  (1792);  "  Union  Har- 
mony "  (1793);  two  volumes  "  Worcester  Collection 
of  Sacred  Music"  (four  editions,  1794,  1897,  1800  and 
1803);  "The  Modern  Collection  of  Sacred  Music" 
(1800) ;  "  Sacred  Dirges,  Hymns  and  Anthems,  Com- 
memorative of  the  Death  of  Gen.  George  Washing- 
ton"  (1800);  "  Charlestown  Collection  of  Sacred 
Songs"  (1803).  In  the  "New  England  Sacred  Har- 
mony "  (1803),  by  Benjamin  Holt,  junior,  there  are 
some  tunes  by  Holden  ;  also  in  the  "  Suffolk  Collection 
of  Church  Music  "  (1807),  of  which  it  is  claimed  that 
Holden  was  one  of  the  compilers.  "  Coronation " 
Avas  composed  in  1792. 

Mr.  Holden  was  also  a  hymn  writer.  Rev.  F.  M. 
Bird,  of  South  Bethlehem,  Penn.,  the  well  known 
hymnologist,  has  a  book  (supposed  to  have  been 
edited  by  Holden,  but  unfortunately  without  a  title 
page)  which  contains  twenty-one  hymns  marked  "  II." 
To  two  of  these  hymns  Mr.  Holden' s  name  is  attached 
in  the  "  Boston  Collection  "  (1808),  with  two  other 
originals  there.     The  first  lines  are  as  follows: 

"  Arise,  my  love,  my  undefiled," 
"  Who  will  ope  the  iron  gate," 
"  How  sweet  is  the  language  of  love," 
"  Weeping  sinner,  dr}^  your  tears." 

The  last  of  these  hymns  is  found  in  "Ocean  Melodies" 
(1849). 

In  "Village  Hymns"  (1825)  there  is  a  hymn  of  two 
stanzas  (99),  by  Holden,  commencing 

With  conscious  guilt  and  bleeding  heart. 

In  "Select  Hymns"  (1836)  there  is  also  a  hymn  (339) 
by  Holden,  wrongly  ascribed  to  Miller,  commencing 

Within  these  doors  assembled  now. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  237 

The  only  hymn  by  Mr.  Holden,  now  in  use,  is  that 
which  is  found  in  most  modern  collections,  commencing 

They  who  seek  a  throne  of  grace, 

altered  by  some  unknown  hand  from  the  original  form 
in  which  it  appeared  in  the  "Union  Harmony,"  1793. 
It  is  given  below  as  printed  in  Ripley's  "Selection  of 
Hymns  for  Conference  and  Pra^yer  Meetings"  (1821): 

All  those  who  seek  a  throne  of  grace, 
Are  sure  to  find  in  every  place; 
To  those  who  love  a  life  of  prayer, 
Our  God  is  present  everywhere. 

The  shady  grove  or  burning  plain, 
The  blooming  field  or  swelling  main, 
Alike  are  sweet  in  secret  prayer. 
For  God  is  present  everywhere. 

In  pining  sickness,  rosy  health, 
In  poverty  or  growing  wealth, 
The  humble  soul  delights  in  prayer, 
And  God  is  present  everywhere. 

"When  Zion  mourns,  and  comforts  fail, 
And  all  her  foes  do  scoff  and  rail, 
'T  is  then  a  time  for  secret  prayer. 
For  God  is  present  everywhere. 

When  some  backslide  and  others  fall. 
And  few  are  found  .who  strive  at  all, 
The  faithful  find  in  secret  prayer, 
That  God  is  present  everywhere. 

Come,  then,  my  soul,  in  every  strait, 
To  Jesus  come  and  on  him  wait. 
He  sees  and  hears  each  secret  sigh, 
And  brings  his  own  salvation  nigh. 

In  the  closing  year  of  his  life  Mr.  Holden  wrote  his 
last  hymn  of  two  stanzas,  commencing 

God  of  my  life,  nigh  draws  the  day 
When  thou  wilt  summon  me  away. 


238         .  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

MATTHEW  BOLLES. 

1769-1838. 

With  the  Baptists  of  Connecticut  Bolles  is  an  hon- 
ored name.  Rev.  Matthew  Bolles,  a  son  of  Rev. 
David  Bolles,  was  born  in  Ashford,  Conn.,  April  21, 
1769.  Until  middle  life  he  engaged  in  business,  wdien 
a  conviction  that  he  ought  to  preach  led  him  to  with- 
draw from  secular  pursuits,  and  devote  himself  to  the 
work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  He  began  to  preach 
in  1812,  in  Pleasant  Valley,  Lyme,  Conn.,  and  there, 
in  June,  1813,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tist church.  Here  his  ministry  was  greatly  blessed, 
and  he  remained  until  1817.  From  1817,  to  1838,  he 
was  pastor  at  Fairfield,  Conn.,  Milford,  N.  H.,  Marble- 
head  and  West  Bridgewater,  Mass.  He  was  an  able 
and  eloquent  preacher,  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
He  died  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  greatly  lamented,  Septem- 
ber 26,  1838,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age. 

In  "  Select  Hymns,"  compiled  by  James  H.  Linsley 
and  Gustavus  F.  Davis,  and  published  at  Hartford, 
Conn.,  in  1841,  by  Robins  and  Folger,  is  the  following 
hymn  (505),  by  Mr.  Bolles,  entitled  "Pastor's  Prayer 
in  the  Study": 

Here,  Lord,  retired,  I  bow  in  prayer. 
Kefresh  my  soul  —  my  heart  prepare 
To  preacli  thy  word  with  power. divine; 
If  it  succeed,  the  praise  be  thine. 

"Witliout  this  grace,  I  strive  in  vain, 
O  God,  revive  thy  saints  again; 
Convince  poor  sinners  of  their  case, 
Cause  them  to  seek  thy  pardoning  grace. 

Draw  thousands  to  thy  mercy  seat; 
Their  hearts  renew  —  their  sins  remit; 
Fill  them  with  joy  of  faith  and  love 
To  serve  on  earth,  to  praise  above. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  239 

In  tears  I  sow  the  precious  seed; 
Cause  it  to  spring  —  my  work  succeed. 
With  souls  reward  my  work  of  love; 
Then  take  me  to  thyself  above. 


JESSE  MERCER. 

1769-1841. 

Rev.  Jesse  Mercer,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Halifax 
County,  N.  C,  December  16,  1769,  the  eldest  of  eight 
children.  He  Avas  a  bright  boy,  but  his  early  opportu- 
nities for  securing  an  education  were  exceedingly  lim- 
ited. In  his  fourteenth  year  his  father  removed  to 
Georgia,  which  was  thenceforward  his  home.  Four 
years  later  he  was  baptized  by  his  father,  and  united 
with  the  Phillips'  Mill's  Baptist  church.  Soon  after  he 
began  to  preach.  A  few  months  later  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Sabrina  Chivers,  who  was  a  valued  helpmeet 
to  him  nearly  forty  years.  His  ordination  followed, 
November  7,  1789.  The  churches  which  he  success- 
fully served  were  those  of  Hutton's  Fork,  Indian 
Creek,  Sardis,  Phillips'  Mill,  Powelton,  Whatley's  Mill, 
Eatonton,  and  Washington.  Dr.  Mallary  says:  "The 
field  occupied  by  Dr.  Mercer  between  the  years  1796, 
and  1827,  was  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  State 
of  Georgia,  —  the  churches  which  he  served  beino-  in 
the  midst  of  a  dense  population,  and  embracing  a 
considerable  amount  of  intelligence  and  refinement.  . 
.  .  His  connection  with  these  several  churches  was 
the  means  of  quickening  them  to  a  higher  sense  of 
Christian  obligation,  of  building  them  up  in  faith  and 
holiness,  and,  in  nearly  every  case,  of  adding  largely 
to  their  numbers."  Says  Dr.  Basil  Manly,  senior: 
"In  his  happy  moments  of  preaching  he  would  arouse 
and  enchain  the  attention  of  reflecting  men  beyond 


240  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

any  minister  I  have  ever  heard.  At  such  times  his 
views  were  vast,  profound,  original,  striking  and  ab- 
sorbing in  the  highest  degree,  while  his  language, 
though  simple,  was  so  terse  and  pithy,  so  pruned,  con- 
solidated, and  suited  to  -become  the  vehicle  of  the 
dense  mass  of  his  thoughts,  that  it  required  no  ordi- 
nary effort  of  a  well-trained  mind  to  take  in  all  he 
said." 

For  several  years  Dr.  Mercer  was  editor  of  "The 
Index,"  He  was  also  active  in  missionary  operations. 
For  eighteen  successive  years  he  w^as  elected  president 
of  the  Georgia  Baptist  Convention.  He  was  also 
deeply  interested  in  the  civil  affairs  of  the  country, 
and  in  the  cause  of  education.  His  gifts  to  Mercer 
University  amounted  to  more  than  forty  thousand 
dollars. 

His  principal  writings  were  as  follows:  "A  Circu- 
lar Letter  of  the  Georgia  Association"  (1801);  "A 
Circular  Letter  on  Discipline"  (1806);  "A  Circular 
Letter  on  the  Invalidity  of  Pedo-baptist  Administra- 
tion of  the  Ordinances"  (1811);  "A  Circular  Letter 
on  Various  Christian  Duties"  (1816);  "A  Discourse 
on  the  Death  of  Gov.  Rabun"  (1819);  "A  Circular 
Letter  on  the  Unity  and  Dependence  of  the  Churches  " 
(1822);  "An  Exposition  of  the  First  Seventeen  Verses 
of  the  Twelfth  Chapter  of  Revelation  "  (1825);  "A 
Dissertation  on  the  Prerequisites  to  Ordination " 
(1829);  "Scripture  Meaning  of  Ordination"  (1830); 
"Ten  Letters  on  the  Atonement"  (1830);  "A  Circular 
Letter  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention"  (1831);  "Re- 
semblances and  Differences  between .  Church  Author- 
ity and  that  of  an  Association"  (1833);  "An  Essay  on 
the  Lord's  Supper"  (1833);  a  sermon  entitled  "Knowl- 
edge Indispensable  to  a  Minister  of  God"  (1834);  "A 
History  of  the  Georgia  Association"  (1836);  "A  Re- 
view of  a  Certain  Report  on  Church  and  Associational 
Difficulties"  (1837);  "A  Sermon  on  the  Importance  of 
Ministerial  Union"  (1838) ;  "A  Sermon  on  the  Excel- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  241 

lency  of  the  Knowledge  of  Christ"  (1839);  an  essay 
entitled  "  The  Cause  of  Missionary  Societies,  the  Cause 
of  God"  (1839);  and  "An  Essay  on  Forgiveness  of 
Sins  "(1841). 

He  also  compiled  "  The  Cluster  of  Spiritual  Songs, 
Divine  Hymns  and  Sacred  Poems."  The  first  edition 
was  published  in  Augusta,  Ga.,  in  pamphlet  form,  and 
three  editions  were  issued  before  1817.  For  many 
years  Mercer's  "  Cluster "  was  in  use  in  the  Baptist 
churches  in  that  part  of  the  country.  Several  of  its 
hymns  without  doubt  were  written  by  Dr.  Mercer 
himself.  Hymn  233,  in  the  later  editions,  is  entitled 
"  The  Experience  of  J.  M."  The  first  of  its  fourteen 
stanzas  is  as  follows  : 

In  sin's  howling  waste  my  poor  soul  was  forlorn, 

And  lovdd  the  distance  full  well, 
When  grace,  on  the  wings  of  the  dove  to  me  borne, 

Did  snatch  me,  the  fire-brand  of  hell. 

Dr.  Mercer  was  also  the  author  of  the  second  part  of 
Edmund  Jones'  well  known  hymn, 

Come,  humble  sinner  in  whose  breast, 

as  found  in  the  "  Cluster."  This  second  part,  which 
was  intended  as  a  response,  is  as  follows : 

Kesolving  thus  I  entered  in, 

Though  trembling  and  depressed; 
I  bowed  before  the  gracious  King, 

And  all  my  sins  confessed. 

Sweet  majesty  and  awful  grace, 

Sat  smiling  on  his  brow, 
He  turned  to  me  his  glorious  face, 

And  made  my  eyes  o'erflow. 

He  held  the  scepter  out  to  me, 

And  bade  me  touch  and  live; 
I  touched,  and  (O  what  mercy  free  I) 

He  did  my  sins  forgive. 
16 


242  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

I  touched  and  lived,  and  learned  to  love, 
And  triumphed  in  my  God ; 

I  set  mj'^  heart  on  things  above, 
And  sang  redeeming  blood. 

Come  sinners  grieved,  with  sins  distressed, 

And  ready  to  despair, 
Take  courage,  though  with  guilt  oppressed, 

Jesus  still  answers  prayer. 

Come  enter  in  with  cheerful  haste, 

You  may  his  glory  see. 
You  may  his  richest  mercy  taste  — 

He  has  foro:iven  me. 


WILLIAM  STAUGHTON. 

1770-1829. 

Rev.  William  Staughton,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Cov- 
entry, Warwickshire,  England,  January  4, 1770.  When 
fourteen  years  of  age,  he  was  placed  in  the  family  of 
a  pious  man  in  Birmingham,  with  the  design  that  he 
should  learn  the  silversmith's  trade.  It  was  here  that 
he  was  converted,  and  when  seventeen  years  of  age 
united  with  the  Baptist  church.  Not  long  after,  with 
the  Christian  ministry  in  view,  he  entered  upon  a 
course  of  study  in  Bristol  College.  Several  churches, 
among  them  the  Baptist  church  at  Northampton, 
wished  to  secure  his  services  on  the  completion  of  his 
studies,  but  he  had  set  his  face  toward  the  new  world, 
and  leaving  England  in  1793,  he  made  his  way  to  the 
United  States,  and  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  Georgetown,  South  Carolina.  Here  he  remained 
until  the  close  of  1795,  when,  finding  the  climate  un- 
favorable, he  removed  with  his  family  to  New  York. 
Not  long  after,  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  take 
charge  of  an  academy  in  Bordentown,  N.  J.     During 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  243 

his  residence  in  Bordentown  he  frequently  preached. 
Toward  the  close  of  1798,  he  removed  to  Burlington, 
N.  J.,  where  he  had  a  large  and  flourishing  school. 
He  also  supplied  two  churches  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the 
Baptist  church  in  Burlington  came  into  existence  in 
connection  with  his  labors.  In  1805,  he  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in 
Philadelphia,  and  by  his  labors  the  interests  of  the 
denomination  in  that  city  were  greatly  advanced.  In 
1811,  a  colony  from  the  First  Church  founded  the  San- 
som  Street  church,  and  Dr.  Staughton  was  induced  to 
identify  himself  with  the  new  enterprise.  Here  he 
reached  the  height  of  his  influence  as  a  preacher.  As 
tutor  of  the  Baptist  Education  Society  of  the  Middle 
States  of  America,  Dr.  Staughton  received  into  his 
family  young  men,  whose  studies  he  directed  in  their 
preparation  for  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry.  He 
was  also  the  first  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Bap- 
tist Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  As  another  has  said, 
he  became  to  the  Baptist  mission  cause  in  this  country 
what  Andrew  Fuller  was  amono;  his  brethren  in  Eno-- 
land.  Dr.  Staughton  remained  in  Philadelphia  until 
1821,  when  he  removed  to  AVashington,  and  became 
President  of  the  newly  established  Columbian  College. 
Resigning  this  position  in  1829,  he  returned  to  Phila- 
delphia, and  in  August  of  the  same  year  accepted  the 
presidency  of  a  new  college  at  Georgetown,  Ky.  But 
he  never  reached  the  scene  of  his  proposed  labors. 
On  his  way  thither  he  was  taken  ill  at  Washington,  D. 
C,  and  there  he  died  December  12,  1829,  in  the  six- 
tieth year  of  his  age.  Princeton  College  conferred 
upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  when  he 
was  twenty-eight  years  of  age. 

At  the  age  of  twelve  he  evinced  poetical  gifts,  and 
poems  written  by  him  at  that  early  period  were  pub- 
lished at  the  request  of  his  friends.  When  seventeen 
years  old  he  published  a  volume  of  "Juvenile  Poems." 
The  following  is  the  first  stanza  of  a  hymn  on  "  Par- 
doning Love  "  included  in  this  collection : 


244  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Involved  in  guilt  and  near  despair, 

Depressed  with  shame,  o'erwhelmed  with  tears, 

To  God  I  raise  my  liunable  prayer; 
He  scattered  all  my  groundless  fears. 

Throughout  his  career  Dr.  Staughton  continued  to  give 
expression  to  his  thoughts  in  verse.     One  of  his  hymns, 

Tell  us,  ye  servants  of  the  Lord, 

is  found  in  "  Select  Hymns  "  (Linsley  and  Davis,  1841) 
and  other  collections.  The  following  hymn  was  written 
by  Dr.  Staughton  to  be  sung  to  the  air  of  the  "  Mar- 
seilles Hymn": 

Ye  sons  Of  God  awake  to  Glory, 

A  host  of  foes  before  you  lies, 
The  saints  renowned  in  sacred  story, 

Behold  them  seize  the  glittering  prize. 
Shall  frowns  of  earth,  or  hell's  loud  thunder, 

Afflict  your  bosom  with  dismay. 

Or  chase  you  from  the  narrow  way. 
While  angels  gaze  with  joy  and  wonder  ? 

To  arms,  to  arms,  ye  brave. 

See,  see,  the  standard  wave, 

March  on,  march  on,  the  trumpet  sounds, 

For  victory  or  death. 

Launch  out  a  feeble  arm  no  longer, 

Eush,  rush  on  contest,  win  the  day; 
The  foe  turns  pale,  the  saint  grows  stronger, 

While  great  Immanuel  leads  the  way; 
No  more  a  hoard  of  terrors  nourish, 

Nor  seem  of  every  hope  bereft; 

For  on  the  right  hand  and  the  left 
The  heavenly  tempered  armies  flourish. 

To  arms,  etc. 

The  treacherous  world  stands  yonder  smiling, 
And  points  to  wealth's  delight  and  fame, 

More  venomed  than  the  serpent  coiling. 
She  leads  to  anguish,  want  and  pain; 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  245 

Ply  her  embrace,  disdain  her  fury, 

"What  though  her  legions  she  engage  I 

From  all  the  follies  of  her  rage, 
The  shield  of  faith  can  well  secure  ye. 

To  arms,  etc. 

Do  inward  foes,  thy  path  impeding, 

Through  all  thy  members,  shout  for  war? 

Kesist  the  blood,  assured,  though  bleeding. 
You  soon  shall  mount  Elijah's  car; 

Go  crucify  each  bold  invader. 

Drive  firm  the  nail,  deep  plunge  the  spear, 
Bright  eyes,  bright  hands,  no  longer  dear, 

Pursue  your  great  immortal  Leader. 

To  arms,  etc. 

March  on,  nor  fear  death's  sable  waters, 

The  foe  stands  silent  as  a  stone, 
While  Jesus'  ransomed  sons  and  daughters 

Go  through  to  claim  the  promised  throne; 
White  robes,  and  crowns  of  highest  glory, 

Victorious  palms  and  endless  songs, 

Friendship  with  heaven's  triumphant  throng. 
And  God's  bright  presence  is  before  ye. 

To  arms,  etc. 


ANDREW  BROADDUS. 

1770-1848. 

Rev.  Andrew  Broaddus  was  born  in  Caroline 
County,  Va.,  November  4,  1770.  In  early  life  he 
evinced  an  eager  thirst  for  knowledge,  and  it  was  the 
purpose  of  his  father,  who  was  a  devout  Episcopalian, 
that  he  should  enter  the  ministry  of  the  Episcopal 
church.  But  he  came  at  length  under  Baptist  influen- 
ces, and  May  28,  1789,  he  was  baptized  and  united 
with  the  Baptist  church  of  Upper  King  and  Queen. 


246  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Soon  after  he  yielded  to  the  conviction  that  it  was  his 
duty  to  engage  in  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry. 
His  first  sermon  was  preached  December  24,  1789,  in  a 
private  house  in  Carohne  County,  His  hearers  were 
impressed  by  his  earnest,  devout  spirit,  and  by  his 
graceful  oratory.  He  used  his  gifts  as  opportunity 
offered,  and  October  16,  1791,  he  was  ordained  in  the 
meeting-house  of  the  church  to  which  he  belonged. 
His  first  pastorate  was  that  of  the  Burrus  church. 
Subsequently  he  served  the  Bethel,  Salem,  Upper 
King  and  Queen,  Beulah,  Mangohic,  Upper  Zion,  and 
some  other  churches.  His  fame  as  a  preacher  at 
length  extended  beyond  the  limits  of  his  native  state, 
and,  in  1811,  he  received  invitations  to  the  pastorate 
from  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Boston,  and  the  First 
Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia;  in  1819,  from  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Baltimore,  and  the  New  Market 
Square  Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia ;  in  1824,  from 
the  Sanson!  Street  Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia ; 
and  in  1832,  from  the  First  Baptist  church  in  New 
York.  A  constitutional  timidity,  however,  restrained 
him  from  yielding  to  these  solicitations  from  abroad, 
except  in  1821,  when  he  accepted  a  call  as  an  assistant 
to  Rev.  John  Courtney,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
church  in  Richmond,  Va.  Though  his  ministry  here 
was  in  every  way  acceptable,  after  six  months  he  re- 
signed, owing  to  domestic  afflictions  and  pecuniary 
embarrassments,  and  returned  to  his  country  congrega- 
tions, where  he  labored  until  his  death,  December  1, 
1848.  Mr.  Broaddus  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  fore- 
most preachers  of  his  time.  Rev.  Robert  Ryland,  D.D., 
says  of  him:  "After  hearing  a  great  number  of 
speakers,  both  on  sacred  and  secular  subjects,  I  have 
formed  the  conclusion  that  Mr.  Broaddus,  during  the 
days  of  his  meridian  strength,  and  in  his  happiest 
efforts,  was  the  most  perfect  orator  I  have  ever 
known." 

Mr.  Broaddus  was  a   frequent   contributor   to   the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  247 

religious  j)ress.  His  published  works  were  "  Sacred 
Ballads"  (1790);  "The  Age  of  Reason  and  Revelation," 
a  reply  to  Paine's  well  known  treatise  (1799);  and  ''A 
Bible  History,  with  Occasional  Notes  to  Explain  and 
Illustrate  Difficult  Passages"  (1816).  He  also  pre- 
pared a  "•  Catechism  for  Children,"  which  was  pub- 
lished by  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society. 
He  was  greatly  interested  in  hymnology,  and  in  1828, 
at  the  request  of  the  Dover  Association,  he  published 
a  collection  of  hymns  entitled,  "  The  Dover  Selection 
of  Spiritual  Songs."     One  hymn  (192),  commencing 

Help  thy  servant,  gracious  Lord, 

is  marked  "  original."  In  1836,  Mr.  Broaddus  pub- 
lished "  The  Virginia  Selection  of  Psalms,  Hymns  and 
Spiritual  Songs."  This  contained  the  hymn  by  Mr. 
Broaddus  just  mentioned,  and  two  others  (667,  708), 

Send  thy  blessing,  Lord,  we  pray, 
and  the  following,  entitled  "  The  Wandering  Sinner": 

Kestless  thy  spirit,  poor  wandering  sinner, 

Restless  and  roving,  O  come  to  thy  home! 
Return  to  the  arms  —  to  the  bosom  of  mercy; 

The  Savior  of  sinners  invites  thee  to  come. 

Darkness  surrounds  thee,  and  tempests  are  rising, 
Fearful  and  dangerous  the  path  thou  hast  trod; 

But  mercy  shines  forth  in  the  i-ainbow  of  promise, 
To  welcome  the  wanderer  home  to  his  God. 

Peace  to  the  storm  in  thy  soul  shall  be  spoken, 

Guilt  from  thy  bosom  be  banished  away, 
And  heaven's  sweet  breezes,  o'er  death's  rolling  billows, 

Shall  waft  thee  at  last  to  the  regions  of  day. 

But  oh!  if  regardless  of  God's  gracious  warning, 
Afar  from  his  favor  your  soul  must  remove ; 

May  you  never  hear  —  never  feel  the  dread  sentence; 
But  live  to  his  glory,  and  die  in  his  love. 


248  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

ROBERT  T.  DANIEL. 

1773-1840. 

Rev.  Robeet    T.    Daniel  was  the   author  of    the 
very  familiar  baptismal  hymn,  commencing 

Lord,  in  humble,  sweet  submission. 

He  was  born  in  Middlesex  County,  Virginia,  June  10, 
1773.  His  parents  subsequently  removed  to  Chatham 
County,  North  Carolina.  His  religious  life  did  not 
begin  until  1802,  when  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Isaac 
Hicks,  and  united  with  the  Holly  Springs  Baptist 
church,  in  Wake  County.  Here  he  was  ordained  in 
1803.  Many  parts  of  the  country  were  at  that  time 
destitute  of  religious  privileges,  and  Mr.  Daniel  de- 
voted himself  extensively  to  missionary  work.  He 
was  the  first  missionary,  or,  at  least,  one  of  the  first 
missionaries,  of  the  North  Carolina  Baptist  Benevo- 
lent Society,  and  in  its  service  he  visited  Raleigh, 
where,  in  1812,  he  organized  the  First  Baptist  church 
in  that  place.  Of  this  church  he  was  twice  pastor. 
But  he  loved  missionary  work.  As  one  has  said, 
"His  was  a  missionary  heart,  a  missionary  tongue, 
and  a  missionary  hand."  In  1833,  he  wrote:  "Dur- 
ing the  thirty  years  of  my  ministry  I  have  traveled 
about  sixty  thousand  miles,  preached  about  five  thou- 
sand sermons,  and  baptized  more  than  fifteen  hundred 
people.  Of  that  number  many  now  are  ministers, 
twelve  of  whom  are  men  of  distinguished  talents  and 
usefulness."  His  labors  extended  into  Virginia,  Mis- 
sissippi and  Tennessee.  His  ability  as  a  preacher  and 
his  evangelistic  zeal  attracted  to  him  large  audiences, 
and  his  declaration  of  God's  Word  was  in  demonstra- 
tion of  the  Spirit  and  with  power.  He  died  in  Paris, 
Tennessee,  September  14,  1840. 

His  baptismal    hymn,   above   referred  to,   first  ap- 
peared in   the   "Dover  Selection"  (1828).     It  was 


AND  THEIR  HYMKS.  249 

included  in  "  Winchell's  Watts  "  (1832),  with  the  last 
two  stanzas  omitted.  In  the  "Service  of  Song"  (1871) 
the  fifth  stanza  is  omitted.  In  Dossey's  '•'  Choice " 
(1833)  there  is  a  hymn  of  two  stanzas,  written  by  Mr. 
Daniel,  commencing 

This  morning  let  my  praise  arise, 

and  also  the  following  hymn : 

The  time  will  surely  come, 

When  all  the  ransomed  race. 
With  angels  shall  go  shouting  home, 

To  meet  their  Savior's  face. 

The  church  of  God  on  earth, 

As  well  as  those  above, 
Are  sheltered  from  the  storms  of  wrath, 

In  robes  of  dying  love. 

No  trials  that  they  meet 

Shall  rob  them  of  their  rest; 
For  Jesus  makes  them  all  complete 

In  his  own  righteousness. 

All  hail,  thou  conqu'ring  King! 

Come  quickly  from  above, 
And  all  thy  chosen  race  shall  sing 

Thy  free,  redeeming  love. 


WILLIAM  PARKINSON. 

1774-1848. 

Rev.  William  Parkinson  was  born  in  Frederick 
County,  Maryland,  November  8,  1774.  His  religious 
life  commenced  in  1796,  and  he  was  baptized  in  June 
that  year.  Nearly  two  years  later  he  was  ordained, 
and  devoted  himself  to  self-denying  missionary  labors. 
In  December,  1801,  and  for  three  successive  terms,  he 


250  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

was  elected  chaplain  to  Congress,  and  preached  in  the 
morning  at  the  capitol  and  in  the  afternoon  at  the 
treasury.  ''The  members  of  Congress,"  he  wrote, 
"attended  abundantly  better  than  I  expected.  I 
have,  moreover,  the  pleasure  of  stating  that  the  Pres- 
ident [Jefferson]  has  missed  but  one  of  my  meetings 
at  the  capitol."  In  April,  1805,  he  accepted  a  call  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  New  York. 
A  powerful  revival  followed,  wliich  added  greatly  to 
the  strength  of  the  church.  Large  congregations 
Avaited  upon  his  ministry.  His  pastorate  continued 
thirty-five  years.  Mr.  Parkinson  then  removed  to 
Frederick,  Md.  Shortly  after,  some  of  his  friends  in 
New  York  organized  the  Bethesda  Baptist  church,  and 
he  was  invited  to  become  its  pastor.  He  accepted  the 
invitation,  and  returned  to  New  York  in  1841.  But 
impaired  health,  resulting  from  a  fall,  soon  compelled 
him  to  withdraw  from  the  work  he  loved  so  well,  and 
after  a  lingering  illness  he  died,  March  9,  1848.  He 
was  a  man  of  marked  intellectual  abilities,  and  a 
preacher  whose  words  powerfully  swayed  the  hearts 
of  men. 

He  published  "A  Treatise  on  the  Ministry  of  the 
Word,"  and  "Sermons  on  the  Thirty-third  Chapter  of 
Deuteronomy."  In  1809,  he  published  "A  Selection  of 
Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs."  The  following  are  the 
first  lines  of  Mr.  Parkinson's  own  hymns  included  in 
this  collection: 

"  Jfo  mortal  ties  can  be  compared," 
"  How  long  and  tedious  are  the  days," 
"  Alas!  the  deep  deceit  and  sin," 
"  The  Father's  free  electing  grace," 
"  Great  Shepherd  of  thine  Israel's  host," 
"  Come,  dear  brethren  in  the  Savior," 
"  Long  with  doubt  and  fears  surrounded," 
"  How  long,  Great  God,  shall  wretched  I," 
"  When,  O  my  Jesus,  Savior,  when." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  251 

The  last  two  hymns  are  acrostics.  The  followino-^ 
entitled  "  Hope  of  a  Revival,"  has  been  extensively 
used  in  other  collections,  e.g.,  Dossey's  "Choice," 
"Baptist  Harmony,"  "Baptist  Hymn  Book,"  etc. 

Come,  dear  brethren  in  the  Savior, 
Though  we  're  few,  let 's  not  despair; 

Jesus  able  is  to  favor; 
Fly  to  him  with  every  care; 

He  is  able,  he  is  able, 
Zion's  drooping  head  to  rear. 

If  but  two  or  three  remaining, 
Meet  for  prayer,  he  's  in  the  midst; 

Let  us  then,  without  complaining, 
Wait  till  he  shall  us  increase; 

He  is  able,  he  is  able. 
Soon  he  '11  make  our  sorrows  cease. 

By  him  stars  and  spheres  were  framed, 

Light  and  darkness  Jesus  made ; 
From  their  graves  the  dead  he  raised, 

Shall  not  his  redeemed  be  saved  ? 
He  is  able,  he  is  able. 

To  bestow  what  we  have  craved. 

Well,  my  friends,  as  Christ  is  able, 

Of  his  will  we  cannot  doubt, 
Since  for  all  the  Father  gave  him, 

Full  salvation  he  wrought  out; 
Sure  he  never,  sure  he  never. 

Spilt  his  precious  blood  for  nought. 

Let  us  love,  adore  and  praise  him, 

As  the  Lord,  our  righteousness; 
Own  him  in  our  whole  behavior, 

Singing,   "  We  are  saved  by  grace  "; 
Till  in  heaven,  till  in  heaven 

He  shall  give  us  all  a  place. 

Now  let 's  sweetly  join  in  concert 

To  adore  the  sacred  Three ; 
God  who  made  us,  Christ  who  saved  us, 

And  the  Spirit  praised  be. 

By  the  ransomed,  by  the  ransomed, 

Through  a  blest  eternity. 


252  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOSEPH  B.  COOK. 

1775-1833. 

In  the  third  edition  of  Dossey's  "  Choice  "  —  pub- 
lished in  1830,  and  the  earhest  edition  I  have  seen  — 
are  ten  hymns  by  Mr.  Cook,  of  which  the  first  hnes 
are  as  follows : 

"  Bought  with  the  Savior's  precious  blood," 
"  With  reverence  we  would  now  appear," 
"  Repent,  repent,  the  Baptist  cries," 
"  Jesus,  we  own  thy  sovereign  sway," 
"  Filled  with  distress,  the  fruit  of  sin," 
"  Hail,  joyful  morn,  which  ushered  in," 
"  Thou  sacred  Spirit,  heavenly  Dove," 
"  Up  to  thy  throne,  O  God  of  love," 
"■  O  help  thy  servant.  Lord," 
"  The  year  has  past  away." 

Some  of  these  hymns  are  found  in  other  southern  col- 
lections, to  which  they  were  doubtless  transferred  from 
the  "Choice."  The  first  of  the  above,  347  in  the 
"  Choice,"  on  "  The  Stability  of  the  Church,"  is  as 
follows : 

Bought  with  the  Savior's  precious  blood, 
Thy  church,  O  God,  has  firmly  stood; 
Thy  word  obeyed,  thy  precepts  loved. 
Thy  power  and  faithfulness  has  proved. 

Built  on  the  rock  secure  she  stands, 
Like  some  tall  cliff  in  distant  lands; 
Though  winds  and  tempests  round  her  fly, 
Their  furious  rage  she  dares  defy. 

When  hosts  of  foes  against  her  come, 
Regardless  of  thy  powerful  name. 
Thine  arm,  O  Lord,  salvation  wrought 
For  them  who  thy  protection  sought. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  253 

"  "What  hath  God  wrought  ?  "   may  Zion  sing, 
And  shout  aloud  her  conquering  King; 
Her  enemies  before  her  fall, 
And  God  in  Christ  is  all  in  all. 

Strike  to  the  Lord  each  joyful  string, 
Awake  each  tuneful  power  and  sing; 
Ye  saints,  redeemed  from  sin  and  hell, 
Loud  let  the  pleasing  anthem  swell. 

Soon  shall  the  archangel's  trumpet  sound, 
"Awake;  ye  dead,  from  under  ground," 
Then  shall  your  sleeping  dust  arise. 
To  dwell  with  Christ  above  the  skies. 

Hev.  Joseph  B.  Cook,  a  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Cook, 
was  born  September,  1775,  probably  at  Dorchester, 
about  eighteen  miles  from  Charleston,  S.  C.  January 
6,  1793,  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Mr.  Botsford,  and 
united  with  the  Welsh  Neck  Baptist  church.  In  1794, 
he  entered  Brown  University,  where  he  was  gradu- 
ated September  6,  1797.  Soon  after  his  graduation 
he  became  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Charles- 
ton, S.  C,  and  by  this  church  he  was  licensed  to  preach 
March  3,  1799,  while  emploj^ed  as  a  tutor  in  a  private 
family.  Not  long  after  he  received  a  call  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Euhaw  Baptist  church,  of  which  his 
father  was  once  pastor;  and  January  9,  1800,  he  was 
ordained  in  Beaufort,  where  he  preached  half  of  the 
time.  Mr.  Cook  was  clerk  of  the  Charleston  Associa- 
tion in  1801,  1802,  1806,  and  1820.  He  was  modera- 
tor from  1825,  to  1832.  He  was  secretary  of  the 
South  Carolina  Baptist  Convention  in  1822,  vice-pres- 
ident from  1826,  to  1832.  In  1826,  he  preached  the 
introductory  sermon  at  Greenville,  and  performed  the 
same  service  at  Robertville,  in  1830.  For  thirty  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Charleston  Association,  and 
beside  the  Euhaw  and  Beaufort  churches,  he  served  as 
pastor  of  the  Camden,  Mt.  Pisgah,  Bethel,  and  Sumter- 
ville  churches.  Dr.  James  C.  Furman,  of  Greenville, 
S.  C,  who  knew  Mr.  Cook,  says: 


254  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"  Throughout  his  whole  course  Mr.  Cook  bore  him- 
self as  a  good  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  His  conduct 
was  eminently  discreet  and  blameless.  Wherever  he 
went,  public  opinion  extended  to  him  the  deference 
paid  to  unquestioned  piety.  Of  a  gentle  spirit,  unam- 
bitious, constitutionally  and  by  breeding  urbane,  he 
silently  evoked  the  virtues  of  which  his  life  was  an 
exemplification.  In  his  sermons  no  novel  illustrations 
and  no  surprising  combinations  of  familiar  conceptions 
gave  brilliancy  to  his  presentations  of  the  truth.  He 
seemed  to  speak  in  the  same  spirit  in  which  John 
wrote :  *  I  have  not  written  unto  you  because  ye 
know  not  the  truth,  but  because  ye  know  it.'  His 
spirit  and  manner  were  deeply  reverential,  and  in  his 
feelings  toward  his  hearers  there  was  a  mellow  earnest- 
ness, which  often  expressed  itself  in  quiet  tears. 
There  was  a  smooth  rhythmical  flow  in  his  speaking ; 
the  same  as  is  apparent  in  his  hymns." 


DAVID  BENEDICT. 

1779-1874. 

Dr.  David  Benedict,  so  long  a  father  in  our  Bap- 
tist Israel,  was  born,  in  Norwalk,  Conn.,  October  10, 
1779.  He  was  converted  when  twenty  years  of  age, 
and  with  the  Gospel  ministry  in  view  he  entered 
Brown  University,  graduating  in  1806.  Having  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist 
church  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  he  was  ordained,  and 
served  the  church  as  pastor  twenty-five  years.  Dur- 
ing this  time  he  published  several  historical  works, 
viz.,  "History  of  the  Baptists"  (1813);  "Abridgment 
of  Robinson's  History  of  Baptism"  (1817);  "Abridg- 
ment of  History  of  the  Baptists"  (1820);  and  a  "His- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  255 

tory  of  All  Religions"  (1824).  After  resigning  his 
pastorate,  he  devoted  himself  to  the  task  of  complet- 
ing his  ''  History  of  the  Baptists,"  and  an  added  vol- 
ume, entitled  "History  of  the  Baptists,  Continued," 
was  published  in  1848.  His  "Fifty  Years  Among  the 
Baptists"  followed  in  1860.  His  last  work,  "History 
of  the  Donatists,"  completed  just  before  he  was  nine- 
ty-five years  of  age,  was  published  in  1875,  the  year 
following  his  death. 

His  first  venture  as  an  author  was  in  the  latter  part 
of  his  college  days,  when  he  published  anonymously 
"The  Watery  War,  or  a  Poetical  Description  of  the 
Controversy  on  the  Subjects  and  Mode  of  Baptism,  by 
John  of  Enon."  For  many  years  this  work,  which 
sparkles  with  wit  and  wisdom,  and  was  several  times 
reprinted,  was  generally  regarded  as  a  production  of 
John  Leland. 

Dr.  Benedict  was  also  the  compiler  of  a  hymn  book 
entitled  "  Conference  Hymns  for  Social  Worship,"  the 
first  edition  of  which,  it  is  believed,  was  published 
at  Pawtucket  early  in  his  ministry.  It  was  enlarged 
and  republished  from  time  to  time,  and  an  edition  was 
published  as  late  as  1842.  Three  of  the  hymns,  in  the 
edition  of  1842,  were  written  by  Dr.  Benedict.  One 
is  entitled  "Prayer  for  the  Conversion  of  the  Ameri- 
can Indians,"  and  commences 

O'er  Columbia's  wide-spread  forests 
Haste  ye  heralds  of  the  -Lamb. 

A  second  hymn,  entitled  "  Pilgrim's  Progress,"  gives 
expression  to  the  influence  which  Bunyan's  allegory 
made  upon  Dr.  Benedict's  mind  in  his  earlier  years. 
Hymn  155  is  as  follows: 

Holy  Bible!  choicest  treasure, 

Blest  inheritance  below, 
Purest  source  of  pious  pleasure, 

Antidote  to  every  woe. 
Holy  Bible! 

Speak  to  men  of  every  tongue. 


256  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Holy  Bible!  speed  thy  passage, 
Fly  with  haste  the  world  around, 

Onward  bear  thy  joyful  message, 
Heathen  realms  await  thy  sound; 

All  creation 
Waits  for  thy  redeeming  power. 

Tongues  of  rudest  conformation, 

Mastered  by  untiring  care, 
Words  of  strangest  collocation, 

Far  away  thy  light  shall  bear; 
Every  version 

Onward  still  thy  light  shall  bear. 

Wandering  Arabs,  Tartars  roaming, 

Bushmen  v/ild  ou  Afric's  shore; 
Jews  and  Turks  with  joy  combining, 

Bow  to  thy  converting  power; 
China's  millions 

Shall  thy  wondrous  deeds  record. 

Golden  gods,  and  pagan  splendor, 
Books  which  blinded  priests  adore; 

Ancient  systems  toi'n  asunder, 
All  shall  fall  before  thy  power ; 

Mighty  Bible! 
Millions  yet  shall  feel  thy  power. 

Teeming  presses  all  befriend  thee. 

Countless  volumes  fly  abroad; 
Priests  and  pundits  join  to  aid  thee, 

Saving,  conquering  Word  of  God; 
Blessed  Bible! 

Send  thy  saving  health  abroad. 

Dr.  Benedict  died  at  his  home  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I., 
December  5,  1874,  aged  ninety-five  years,  one  month 
and  twenty-five  days. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  257 

WILLIAM  DOSSEY. 

1780-1853. 

Very  little  now  is  known  concerning  Rev.  "William 
Dossey,  the  compiler  of  Dossey's  "  Choice,"  a  hymn 
book  published  about  the  year  1820,  and  extensively 
used  in  some  of  the  southern  states.  Virginia  was 
his  birthplace,  and  he  was  ordained  in  Halifax  county, 
Va.,  in  July,  1803.  He  lived  for  a  time  with  Rev. 
WilHam  Creath,  who  was  his  theological  teacher. 
Removing  to  North  Carolina,  he  engaged  in  pastoral 
work,  and  here  he  married  Mary  E.  Outlaw,  of  Bertie. 
Subsequently  he  removed  to  South  Carolina.  In  the 
records  of  the  Welsh  Neck  Baptist  church,  at  Society 
Hill,  S.  C,  occurs  the  following  entry,  under  date  of 
June  3, 1813:  "Rev.  Wm.  Dossey,  of  North  Carolina, 
having  occasionally  visited  this  place,  was  unanimously 
called  to  the  pastoral  office  of  this  church."  This  call 
was  renewed  in  September  following.  Under  date  of 
February  5,  1814,  there  is  this  record:  "Rev.  Wm. 
Dossey,  who  had  been  called  to  the  pastoral  office,  was 
with  us  this  day,  and  on  presenting  letters  of  recom- 
mendation and  dismission  from  a  sister  church  in 
North  Carolina  for  himself  and  Mrs.  Mary  Eliza  Dos- 
sey, his  wiie,  they  were  cordially  received  into  the 
fellowship  of  the  church."  In  1817,  he  was  clerk  of 
the  Charleston  Association.  In  1828,  he  preached  the 
introductory  sermon  at  the  South  Carolina  Baptist 
Convention,  held  at  Minervaville ;  text,  Acts  ii.  42. 
When  the  Welsh  Neck  Association  was  formed  of 
churches  connected  with  the  Charleston  Association, 
Mr.  Dossey  was  the  first  moderator.  He  was  modera- 
tor from  i832,  to  1834,  inclusive.  For  nearly  twenty 
years  Mr.  Dossey  served  the  Welsh  Neck  church  as 
pastor.  January  4,  1834,  a  letter  of  dismission  was 
granted  to  him  and  his  wife  to  join  the  Cheraw  church. 
He  was  with  this  church  only  a  short  time,  and  then 


258  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

removed  to  Alabama,  where  he  settled  on  a  planta- 
tion, and  preached  to  a  few  churches  in  the  vicinity 
of  Shiloh,  Marengo  County.  He  died  in  1853,  aged 
seventy-three  years,  at  his  home,  which  was  known  as 
"  Laurel  Hill." 

Rev.  John  Stout,  pastor  of  the  Welsh  Neck  church, 
Society  Hill,  writes  under  date  of  April  5,  1887: 
"  Concerning  Elder  William  Dossey,  our  oldest  people 
can  only  tell  me  that  he  came  to  this  church  from 
North  Carolina.  He  was  then  an  elderly  man,  of  fine 
address,  very  dignified  carriage,  fluent  in  speech,  very 
earnest  and  strong  in  preaching,  full  of  zeal  in  evan- 
gelistic work,  in  which  he  had  marked  success.  Edu- 
cated preachers  did  not  abound  in  this  region  in  his 
day,  and  his  sermons  commanded  attention.  He  was 
unquestionably  the  strongest  and  most  effective 
preacher  of  his  time  in  eastern  South  Carolina.  He 
was  a  man  of  sterling  character,  and  exercised  a 
superior  influence  socially.  I  have  learned  that  he 
was  rather  arbitrary,  especially  toward  the  close  of  his 
ministry  here ;  but  old  people  now  living  speak  of  him 
as  a  man  universally  honored,  as  a  pastor  beloved. 
Many  of  his  hymns,  all  indeed  that  are  not  desig- 
nated as  from  others,  he  composed  himself.  I  am  told 
that  he  had  a  remarkably  powerful  and  melodious 
voice,  and  that  he  was  very  fond  of  singing." 

Rev.  James  C.  Furman,  d.d.,  of  Furman  University, 
Greenville,  South  Carolina,  was  the  successor  of  Mr. 
Dossey  as  pastor  of  the  Welsh  Neck  church.  In  a 
letter  dated  April  15,  1887,  he  says  :  "  In  November, 
1828,  the  Charleston  Association  met  with  the  Bethel 
church,  Sumter  County.  The  Welsh  Neck  Association 
not  having  then  been  formed,  Brother  Dossey  appeared 
among  the  delegates.  To  me,  a  young  delegate  from 
Charleston,  everything  was  new.  I  had  heard  of  it, 
*  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear,'  but  now  my  eye  was 
seeing  the  reality.  The  names  of  many  of  the  dele- 
gates were  almost  household  words,  but  here  were  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  259 

living  substances  behind  the  names.  Among  them 
was  WilHam  Dossey.  As  a  boy  I  had  heard  of  the 
^  Choice/  and  wondered  at  sucli  a  cognomen  for  a  book, 
but  very  naturally  concluded  that  its  author  was  a 
man  who  would  have  a  will  and  way  of  his  own,  with- 
out asking  the  world  any  odds;  and  now,  here  at 
Bethel,  was  the  author  in  person,  rather  above  the 
middle  height,  with  head  erect  and  shoulders  well 
thrown  back,  a  full  chest,  and  a  development  of 
diaphragm,  which  without  obesity  indicated  that  its 
possessor  knew  what  good  living  was,  and  had  turned 
this  knowledge  to  good  account.  The  contour  of  his 
face  was  oval.  His  forehead,  high  and  receding,  closed 
in  a  brow  which  covered  a  pair  of  full,  dark  eyes.  The 
nose  started  off  boldly  as  if  for  a  long  excursion  from 
the  facial  line,  but  seemed  to  have  suddenly  changed 
its  mind  and  stopped  short.  At  its  base,  and  between 
the  shadow  of  nostrils  somewhat  expanded,  the  upper 
lip  descended  abruj)tly  to  take  part  in  forming  a  mouth 
where  decision  and  good  temper  were  manifestly 
blended.  Finish  out  this  picture  with  a  suit  of  black 
hair  beginning  to  yield  to  the  iron  gray,  and  resolute- 
ly brushed  back  from  the  forehead  and  temples,  and 
then  think  of  the  hand  thrown  back  of  the  ear,  and 
that  look  of  inquiringness  (excuse  the  word)  which 
attends  deafness,  and  you  see  Mr.  Dossey  as  he  engaged 
my  attention  in  the  conclave  of  delegates." 

More  than  one  hundred  hymns  in  the  "  Choice " 
were  written  by  Mr.  Dossey.  Of  these  a  few  have 
been  transferred  to  other  collections.  The  following 
is  number  260 : 

O  sinners,  to  the  Savior  go! 

Pour  forth  your  ardent  cries; 
Let  streams  of  sacred  sorrow  flo'VY' 

From  all  your  weeping  eyes. 

Your  sins  have  made  the  Savior  bleed, 

Have  pierced  his  wounded  side; 
Have  crowned  with  thorns  his  sacred  head; 

Por  you  he  bled  and  died. 


260  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

'T  is  sin  that  to  destruction  leads, 
"With  poison  strews  the  path; 

Now  lift  to  Chi'ist  your  guilty  heads, 
And  conquer  sin  by  faith. 

He  that  in  Christ  the  Lord  believes 
Shall  sin  and  hell  outdo ; 

Who  Christ  the  conqueror  receives 
Shall  be  a  conqvieror  too. 

Faith  in  his  name  the  dead  awakes, 
And  makes  the  slothful  move ; 

'T  is  faith  that  Satan's  kingdom  shakes, 
The  faith  that  works  by  love. 

Arise  1  believer,  from  the  earth, 
The  conquering  shield  put  on ; 

Display  the  power  of  living  faith,— 
March  on  and  take  the  crown. 


JESSE  L.  HOLMAN. 

1783-1842. 

Hon.  Jesse  L.  Holman  was  born  in  Mercer  County, 
Ky.,  October  22,  1783.  When  he  was  sixteen  years 
of  age  he  united  with  the  Clear  Creek  Baptist  church. 
For  his  life-work  he  directed  his  attention  to  the  pro- 
fession of  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  New- 
castle. On  account  of  his  opposition  to  slavery,  he 
crossed  the  Ohio  river,  and  made  his  home  in  Indiana, 
on  a  bluff  to  which  he  gave  the  name  Verdestan,  and 
where  he  continued  to  reside  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  In  1814,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
territorial  legislature,  and  near  the  close  of  the  same 
year  he  was  made  presiding  judge  for  his  district. 
Under  the  state  government,  in  1816,  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  a  position 
which  he  filled  with  honor  fourteen  years.     In  1831, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  261 

he  was  a  candidate  for  United  States  senator,  and  was 
defeated  by  a  single  vote.  Four  years  later  he  was 
appointed  United  States  district  judge  for  Indiana,  and 
in  this  office  he  continued  until  his  death,  March  28, 
1842. 

Mr.  Holman  took  a  deep  interest  in  missions,  Sun- 
day-schools, Bible  and  temperance  work.  In  1834, 
he  was  ordained,  and  on  his  circuits  he  frequently  ad- 
dressed large  audiences  upon  topics  connected  with, 
these  enterprises.  For  many  years  he  was  a  vice- 
president  of  the  American  Sunday-school  Union.  He 
was  also  president  of  the  Western  Baptist  Publication 
and  Sunday-school  Society.  For  five  years  he  was 
president  of  the  Indiana  Baptist  Convention.  He  was 
also,  from  its  organization,  a  member  of  the  Indiana 
Baptist  Education  Society.  His  was  an  earnest,  con- 
secrated life,  and  he  died  at  peace  with  his  fellow-men 
and  with  God. 

In  "Hymns,  Psalms,  and  Spiritual  Songs,"  compiled 
by  Rev.  Absalom  Graves,  2d  ed.,  1829  (the  first  edi- 
tion was  pubhshed  in  1825),  is  a  hymn  (263)  by  Mr. 
Holman,  consisting  of  nine  stanzas.  It  also  appears  in 
Miller's  "Psalms,  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs"  (30th 
ed.,  1842),  Buck's  "Baptist  Hymn  Book"  (1842),  and 
some  other  collections,  but  only  six  of  the  nine  stan- 
zas are  inserted.     The  hymn  is  as  follows  : 

Lord,  in  thy  presence  here  we  meet, 

May  we  in  thee  be  found; 
O,  make  the  place  divinely  sweet; 

O,  let  thy  grace  abound. 

Today  the  order  of  thy  house 

"We  would  in  peace  maintain ; 
We  would  renew  our  solemn  vows, 

And  heavenly  strength  regain. 

Thy  Spirit,  gracious  Lord,  impart, 

Our  faith  and  hope  increase ; 
Display  thy  love  in  every  heart, 

And  keep  us  all  in  peace. 


262  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Let  no  discordant  passions  rise, 

To  mar  the  work  of  love ; 
But  hold  us  in  those  heavenly  ties, 

That  bind  the  saints  above. 

"With  harmony  and  union  bless, 

That  we  may  own  to  thee 
How  good,  how  sweet,  how  pleasant 't  is 

When  brethren  all  agree. 

May  Zion's  good  be  kept  in  view, 

And  bless  our  feeble  aim, 
That  all  we  undertake  to  do, 

May  glorify  thy  name. 

May  every  heart  be  now  prepared 

To  do  thy  high  commands, 
And  may  the  pleasures  of  the  Lord 

Be  prospered  in  our  hands. 

Of  those  who  thy  salvation  know 

Add  to  our  feeble  few; 
And  may  that  holy  number  grow, 

Like  drops  of  morning  dew. 

Work  in  us  by  thy  gracious  sway, 

And  make  thy  work  appear, 
That  all  may  feel,  and  all  may  say, 

The  Lord  indeed  is  here. 

Another  hymn  (79)  by  Mr.  Holman,  in  the  same 
collection,  consists  of  eight  stanzas,  and  commences, 

Ho!  all  ye  sons  of  sin  and  woe. 


JACOB  BOWER. 

1786-1874. 

Rev.  Jacob  Bower,  "Father"  Bower  as  he  was 
familiarly  called  in  his  later  years,  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster County,  Penn.,  September  26,  1786.  His  par- 
ents were  Dunkards,  of  earnest,  simple  piety.     His 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  263 

educational  advantages  were  meager.  His  conversion 
occurred  early  in  1812,  and  on  the  first  Lord's-day  in 
March,  of  that  year,  he  was  baptized.  In  October, 
1816,  he  was  licensed  to  preach.  February  27,  1819, 
he  was  ordained  in  Logan  County,  Ky.  The  only 
books  he  had  when  he  began  to  preach  were  the  Ger- 
man New  Testament,  an  English  Bible  and  a  hymn 
book.  In  1827,  he  visited  friends  in  Illinois,  and  in 
1828,  he  removed  to  that  state,  and  settled  in  Scott 
County.  Here  he  cultivated  a  farm,  and  preached. 
The  Baptists  around  him  were  for  the  most  part  bit- 
terly opposed  to  missions.  November  19,  1832,  he 
received  a  commission  from  the  American  Baptist 
Home  Mission  Society.  He  was  then  a  member  of 
the  Pleasant  Grove  (now  Manchester)  church,  in  Scott 
County.  The  church  regarded  his  commission  as  an 
insult,  and  he  was  compelled  to  return  it.  Subse- 
quently he  was  reappointed.  A  severe  struggle  fol- 
lowed, but  he  at  length  persuaded  the  church  to  aban- 
don its  hostility  to  missions,  and  in  June  following 
(1833),  messengers  from  his  church,  and  two  others, 
met  in  Pike  County,  at  the  Blue  River  church,  and 
organized  the  Blue  River  (now  Quincy)  Association. 
Of  this  association,  which  favored  missions,  Mr.  Bower 
was  made  moderator.  He  preached  in  all  parts  of 
central  Illinois,  engaged  in  revival  work,  and  many 
hundreds  were  converted  in  connection  with  his  la- 
bors. In  sixteen  years,  before  the  days  of  railroads, 
he  traveled  forty  thousand  miles,  preached  two  thou- 
sand, nine  hundred  thirty-one  sermons,  organized  four- 
teen churches,  and  aided  in  constituting  several  asso- 
ciations. Rev.  G.  S.  Bailey,  d.d.,  who  knew  him  well, 
says  of  Mr.  Bower:  "He  was  a  simple-hearted,  grand, 
godly  man."  General  Mason  Brayman  says:  "Jacob 
Bower  belonged  to  that  class  of  pioneers  who  were 
called  ^  prairie  preachers '  —  men  who  came  in  with 
the  first  settlers,  who  traveled  on  foot  oftentimes  great 
distances,  in  cold   and  heat,  in   storm  and   sunshine, 


264  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

preaching  in  log  cabins,  and  beneath  the  forest  trees, 
eating  corn-dodgers  and  wild  meat,  armed  with  pocket 
Bible  and  hymn  book,  inspired  by  a  holy  zeal  and  he- 
roic conrage  in  the  cause  of  their  Master,  How  fear- 
less, how  earnest  they  were !  With  what  fervor  and 
homely  eloquence  they  preached  and  exhorted,  with 
what  mighty  faith  they  prayed,  and  with  what  rude, 
magnificent  tones  they  sang  the  songs  of  Zion !  Jacob 
Bower  was  one  of  these.  He  lacked  scholastic  learn- 
ing, and  was  as  quiet  and  bashful  as  any  girl  of  six- 
teen. But  on  his  feet  he  was  fervid,  eloquent  and 
inspiring."  Mr.  Bower  died  in  Mason  County,  111,, 
April  26,  1874,  in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age. 

In  Buck's  "Baptist  Hymn  Book"  (preface,  1842), 
and  in  "Dupuy's  Hymns"  (1843,  revised  by  Rev.  J. 
M,  Peck),  there  is  a  hymn  by  Mr.  Bower.  As  he 
made  his  way  over  the  prairies,  and  called  the  scat- 
tered settlers  together,  he  doubtless  often  addressed 
his  brethren  in  the  language  of  these  unpolished  lines: 

Come,  tell  us  your  troubles,  ye  saints  of  the  Lord, 
And  tell  us  Avhat  comfort  you  've  found  in  his  Word; 
Although  you  're  unworthy,  in  Jesus  be  bold. 
Tell  what  a  kind  Savior  has  done  for  your  soul. 

Tell  how  you  discovered  the  state  you  were  in, 
Plow  Aveary  you  felt  of  your  burden  of  sin ; 
Come,  tell  us  your  sorrows,  your  doubts,  and  your  fear, 
Your  brethren  are  waiting,  and  longing  to  hear. 

Come,  now  we  '11  attend  to  the  glorious  good  news, 
Plead  not  your  unworthiness  for  an  excuse; 
But  speak  while  we  try  to  assist  you  by  prayer. 
And  the  angels  above  will  rejoice  for  to  hear. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  266 

ELISHA  CUSHMAN. 

1788-1838. 

Rev.  Elisiia  Cushman,  a  lineal  descendant  of 
Robert  Cushman,  one  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  was 
born  in  Kingston,  Mass.,  May  2,  1788.  He  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  and'  continued  in  that  employ- 
ment until  his  conversion,  in  his  twentieth  year. 
After  a  somewhat  severe  struggle  over  the  question  of 
duty,  he  entered  upon  the  work  of  the  Christian  min- 
istry, and  was  licensed  by  the  Kingston  Baptist 
church,  of  which  he  had  become  a  member.  For  a 
short  time  he  studied  under  the  direction  of  his  pas- 
tor, Rev.  Samuel  Glover,  and  preached  in  neighboring 
villages.  Then,  for  about  a  year,  he  supplied  the 
Baptist  church  in  Grafton,  and,  in  1811,  he  assisted 
Rev.  Mr.  Cornell,  in  Providence,  R.  I.  In  the  follow- 
ing year  he  supplied  the  Baptist  church  in  Hartford, 
Conn.,  and  having  at  length  been  called  to  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  church,  he  was  ordained  June  10,  1813. 
He  served  this  church  as  pastor  until  1825,  and  dur- 
ing this  time  was  prominent  in  all  matters  pertaining 
to  the  interests  of  the  denomination  throughout  the 
state.  He  was  the  first  editor  of  "The  Christian  Sec- 
retary," established  in  1822.  In  1825,  he  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  New  Market  Street  Bap- 
tist church  in  Philadelphia.  Here  he  remained  four 
years,  and  then  returned  to  Connecticut,  and  preached 
in  Stratfield,  a  parish  in  the  town  of  Fairfield,  until 
1831,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  New  Haven.  In  1835,  he 
removed  to  Plymouth,  Mass.,  where,  in  1838,  on  ac- 
count of  increasing  ill  health,  he  closed  his  pastoral 
labors,  and  returned  to  Hartford  for  the  purpose  of 
resuming  his  position  as  editor  of  "  The  Christian  Sec- 
retary." He  Avas  soon,  however,  obliged  to  lay  aside 
his  pen,  and  he  died  in  Hartford,  October  26,  1838. 


266  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Rev.  Robert  Turnbull,  d.d.,  in  a  sketch  of  Mr.  Cush- 
man,  says  his  "preaching  was  simple,  instructive,  and 
often  eloquent.  His  voice  was  highly  musical,  and 
adapted  itself  with  the  greatest  ease  to  the  varying 
moods  of  his  mind  and  heart.  Sometimes  he  indulged 
in  quaint  turns  of  thought  and  expression,  and  not 
unfrequently  enlivened  his  discourses  by  appropriate 
anecdotes  and  figurative  illustrations.  He  had  a  poet- 
ical turn,  and  in  his  preaching  made  great  use  of  the 
more  imaginative  and  striking  phrases  of  Holy  Writ." 

Three  hymns,  written  by  Mr.  Cushman,  are  included 
in  "Select  Hymns,"  published  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  in 
1836,  viz., 

"  Great  Redeemer,  let  thy  presence," 
"  Hark  the  voice  of  injured  Justice," 

and  the   following,  which   is  the   first   hymn  in  the 
collection : 

Great  Fount  of  Beings  1  mighty  Lord 

Of  all  this  wondrous  frame! 
Produced  by  thy  creating  word 

The  world  from  nothing  came. 

Thy  voice  sent  forth  the  high  command  — 

'Twas  instantly  obeyed; 
And  through  thy  goodness  all  things  stand, 

Which  by  thy  power  were  made. 

Lord!  for  thy  glory  shine  the  whole; 

They  all  reflect  thy  light ; 
For  this  in  course  the  planets  roll, 

And  day  succeeds  the  night. 

For  this  the  earth  its  produce  yields, 

For  this  the  waters  flow: 
And  blooming  plants  adorn  the  fields, 

And  trees  aspiring  grow. 

Inspired  with  praise,  our  minds  pursue 

This  wise  and  noble  end, 
That  all  we  think,  and  all  we  do, 

Shall  to  thy  glory  tend. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  267 

ADONIRAM  JUDSON. 

1788-1850. 

There  is  no  name  dearer  to  American  Baptists  than 
that  of  Adoniram  Judson,  the  pioneer  missionary. 
Dr.  Judson  was  born  August  9,  1788,  in  Maiden, 
Mass.,  where  his  father,  Rev.  Adoniram  Judson,  was 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  church.  In  1804,  he 
entered  the  sophomore  class  in  Brown  University,  and 
in  1807,  he  was  graduated  with  the  highest  honors  of 
his  class.  The  year  following  his  graduation  he 
taught  a  private  school  in  Plymouth,  Mass.,  where  his 
father  was  then  residing  as  pastor  of  the  Third  Con- 
gregational church.  At  the  close  of  the  year  he  set 
out  on  a  tour  through  the  northern  states.  During 
his  college  course  he  had  accepted  -views  hostile  to 
Christianity,  but  the  sudden  death  of  a  sceptical  class- 
mate, the  knowledge  of  which  came  to  him  under 
peculiar  circumstances  soon  after  he  commenced  his 
journey,  changed  the  current  of  his  thoughts,  and 
abandoning  his  purpose  to  travel,  he  returned  home, 
and  devoted  himself  to  a  careful  study  of  the  claims 
of  Christianity.  For  a  short  time  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching  in  Boston.  He  then  entered  Andover  Theo- 
logical Seminary  as  a  special  student,  for  the  purpose 
of  prosecuting  still  further  his  inquiries.  These  at 
length  resulted  in  a  hearty  acceptance  of  Christ  as 
his  Savior,  and  he  united  with  his  father's  church  at 
Plymouth,  May  28,  1809. 

In  the  following  month  he  received  and  declined  an 
appointment  as  tutor  in  Brown  University.  God  had 
other  purposes  concerning  him.  In  September,  by 
reading  Buchanan's  "Star  in  the  East,"  he  was  led  to 
consider  the  work  of  foreign  missions,  and  in  Febru- 
ary, 1810,  he  resolved  to  consecrate  himself  to  this 
work.  Other  young  men  in  the  seminary  at  Andover, 
who,  while  in  Williams   College,  had  pledged  them- 


268  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

selves  to  missionary  service,  were  in  sympathy  with 
him.  Judson  completed  his  course  at  Andover,  in 
September,  1810.  As  there  was  no  foreign  missionary 
society  at  that  time  in  the  United  States,  Judson  wrote 
to  the  officers  of  the  London  Missionary  Society,  and 
received  an  invitation  to  visit  England,  and  confer 
with  them.  At  the  meeting  of  the  General  Associa- 
tion of  Massachusetts,  in  June,  1810,  the  subject  of 
foreign  missions  was  considered,  and  it  was  thought 
that  an  arrangement  could  be  made  which  would  ren- 
der this  step  unnecessary.  Disappointed  in  this,  Jud- 
son sailed  for  England,  January  11,  1811.  The  vessel 
was  captured  by  a  French  privateer,  and  Judson  was 
imprisoned  at  Bayonne,  but  he  was  soon  released,  and 
May  6,  he  arrived  in  London.  Having  conferred  with 
the  officers  of  the  London  Missionary  Societ}^,  by  whom 
he  was  favorably  received,  he  sailed  for  New  York. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners 
for  Foreign  Missions,  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  September 
18,  1811,  Judson  and  his  associates  were  advised  not 
to  place  themselves  under  the  direction  of  the  London 
Missionary  Society,  and  the  Board  accepted  Judson, 
Newell,  Nott  and  Hall  as  their  own  missionaries,  and 
pledged  themselves  to  undertake  their  support, 

Judson  and  his  wife,  Ann  H.  Judson,  and  Newell  and 
his  wife,  sailed  from  Salem,  Mass.,  February  19,  1812, 
for  Calcutta.  On  the  voyage,  knowing  that  on  his 
arrival  in  India  he  would  meet  the  Baptist  missionaries 
there,  Judson  commenced  a  study  of  the  subject  of 
baptism.  The  result  was  that  his  views  underwent  a 
change  both  as  to  the  subjects  and  the  act  of  baptism; 
and  after  his  arrival  at  Serampore  he  and  his  wife 
were  baptized  by  Rev.  William  Ward.  The  date  of 
the  baptism  was  September  6, 1812.  Having  resigned 
their  appointment  as  missionaries  of  the  American 
Board,  Mr.  Judson  and  his  wife  appealed  to  those  in 
the  United  States  of  like  views  for  sjrmpathy  and  aid. 
The  appeal  thrilled  the  hearts  of  Baptists  in  all  parts 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  269 

of  the  land,  and  the  Baptist  Triennial  Convention  was 
organized  May  18,  1814.  On  account  of  the  hostility 
of  the  East  India  Company  to  the  estabhshment  of  a 
mission  in  India,  Judson  decided  to  enter  upon  his 
work  in  Burma.  He  reached  Rangoon,  July  14,  1813, 
and  entered  at  once  upon  the  study  of  the  language. 
It  was  not  until  June  27,  1819,  that  he  baptized  his 
first  convert,  Moung  Nau.  Not  long  after  another 
Burman  avowed  his  belief  in  Christianity.  These 
signs  of  success  were  followed  by  opposition  on  the 
part  of  the  civil  power,  and  Judson,  with  Colman,  who 
had  joined  him  at  Rangoon,  went  to  Ava  to  obtain 
royal  approval.  Failing  in  this,  they  returned  to 
Rangoon  with  the  purpose  of  removing  the  mission  to 
the  border  of  Arracan ;  but  at  the  earnest  request  of 
their  converts,  Mr.  Judson  remained  in  Rangoon,  while 
Mr.  Colman  took  up  his  residence  at  Chittagong. 

In  December,  1821,  Dr.  Price  joined  the  mission, 
and  the  king  hearing  of  his  medical  skill,  summoned 
him  to  Ava,  and  Mr.  Judson  accompanied  him  as  in- 
terpreter. They  were  favorably  received,  and  mission 
work  was  commenced  in  Ava.  At  length  Mr.  Judson 
returned  to  Rangoon,  and  completed  his  translation  of 
the  New  Testament.  At  the  close  of  1823,  Mrs.  Jud- 
son having  returned  from  the  United  States,  whither 
she  had  sailed  in  August,  1821,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson 
repaired  to  Ava.  War  between  Burma  and  the  British 
East  India  Government  soon  followed,  and  a  dark  cloud 
overshadowed  the  mission.  Rangoon  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  British,  May  23, 1824.  When  the  tidings 
reached  Ava,  Dr.  Price  and  Dr.  Judson  (the  latter 
received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from  Brown 
University  in  1823)  were  arrested,  and  thrown  into  the 
death  prison.  For  eleven  months  they  remained  in 
this  loathsome  place,  nine  months  in  three  pairs,  and 
two  months  in  five  pairs,  of  fetters.  Here  they  were 
kept  from  starvation  only  by  the  daily  visits  of  Mrs. 
Judson,  who  brought  them  food,  and  as  best  she  could 


270  BAPTIST  HYMK  WRITERS 

alleviated  their  sufferings.  They  were  then  sent  to 
the  prison  at  Oung-pen-la,  a  still  more  wretched  place 
of  confinement,  where  Dr.  Judson  remained  six  months. 
Thither  Mrs.  Judson  followed  them,  and  devoted  her- 
self to  their  wants  with  a  heroism  unsurpassed.  No 
one  can  read  the  record  of  those  terrible  days  and 
months  of  sore  distress  unmoved.  The  continued  suc- 
cess of  the  English  arms  prevented  the  execution  of 
the  prisoners,  and  at  length  they  were  released,  to  take 
part  in  the  negotiations  which  the  Burmese  desired  to 
make  in  order  to  save  what  had  not  already  been  lost. 
While  Dr.  Judson  was  engaged  in  this  work,  Mrs.  Jud- 
son, exhausted  by  her  heroic  labors  and  sufferings, 
died  at  Amherst,  October  24,  1826. 

Dr.  Judson  removed  to  Maulmain,  November  14, 
1827,  and  continued  his  missionary  labors.  Here,  on 
the  last  day  of  January,  1834,  he  completed  his  trans- 
lation of  the  Bible  into  the  Burmese  language.  April 
10,  1834,  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Sarah  H.  Boardman, 
widow  of  the  sainted  George  Dana  Boardman.  Be- 
side his  missionary  labors,  he  devoted  himself  for 
many  years  to  the  revision  of  his  Burmese  Bible,  and* 
the  preparation  of  a  Burmese  dictionary.  The  faiUng 
health  of  Mrs.  Judson  led  him,  in  April,  1845,  to 
return  to  the  United  States.  Mrs.  Judson  died  at  the 
island  of  St.  Helena,  September  1.  October  15,  Dr. 
Judson,  with  his  motherless  children,  reached  Boston. 
Three  days  after  his  arrival,  from  the  lips  of  Dr. 
Sharp,  at  a  great  public  gathering.  Dr.  Judson  re- 
ceived an  appropriate  and  heartfelt  welcome.  This 
was  the  first  of  a  long  succession  of  such  greetings, 
awaiting  him  wherever  he  went.  June  2,  1846,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Emily  Chubbuck,  of  Utica,  N.  Y., 
and  July  11,  with  his  wife,  he  embarked  for  Burma. 

On  his  arrival  he  made  Rangoon  his  home,  and  here 
he  continued  his  missionary  labors  until  the  autumn 
of  1849,  when  disease  compelled  him  to  relinquish 
them.     He  then  took  a  short  sea-voyage  in  order  to 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  271 

recruit  his  failing  strength,  but  without  obtaining  the 
boon  he  sought  he  returned  to  Mauhnain.  In  April, 
1850,  another  sea-voyage  was  recommended,  and  with 
a  single  attendant,  his  wife  being  too  ill  to  accompany 
him,  Dr.  Judson  set  sail  for  the  Isle  of  France.  But 
he  continued  to  grow  weaker,  and  April  12,  nine  days 
after  the  embarkation  at  Mauhnain,  he  died,  and  was 
buried  in  the  ocean,  latitude  thirteen  degrees  north, 
longitude  ninety-three  degrees  east. 

Only  occasionally  was  Dr.  Judson  accustomed  to 
give  his  thoughts  a  poetical  dress.  Tender  lines  he 
"Addressed  to  an  Infant  Daughter,  Twenty  Days  Old, 
in  the  Condemned  Prison  at  Ava."  "They  were  com- 
posed in  my  mind  at  the  time,"  said  Dr.  Judson,  "and 
afterward  written  down."  The  following  versification 
of  the  Lord's  Prayer,  which  is  found  in  "The  Psalm- 
ist" and  other  collections,  was  composed  in  the  same 
place  a  few  weeks  later.  "It  illustrates,"  says  Dr. 
Edward  Judson,  in  his  admirable  life  of  his  father, 
"the  nature  of  the  subjects  which  occupied  the 
thoughts  of  the  missionary  during  this  long  protracted 
agony.  It  is  comprised  in  fewer  words  than  the  orig- 
inal Greek,  and  contains  only  two  more  than  the  com- 
mon translation:" 

Our  Father,  God,  who  art  in  heaven, 

All  hallowed  be  thy  name; 
Thy  kingdom  come,  thy  will  be  done 

In  earth  and  heaven  the  same. 

Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread; 

And,  as  we  those  forgive 
Who  sin  against  us,  so  may  we 

Forgiving  grace  receive. 

Into  temptation  lead  us  not; 

From  evil  set  us  free; 
The  kingdom,  power,  and  glory,  Lord, 

Ever  belong  to  thee. 


272  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

After  his  release  from  prison,  oppressed  by  the  loss 
of  his  wife  and  daughter,  Dr.  Judson  wrote  "  The  Sol- 
itary's Lament,"  commencing 

Together  let  us  sweetly  live, 
Together  let  us  die. 

He  also  subsequently,  on  a  sea  voyage,  addressed  some 
verses  to  his  children.  But  the  best  known  of  his 
poetical  productions  is  his  baptismal  hymn  (Psalmist, 
807),  commencing 

Come,  Holy  Spirit,  Dove  divine, 
On  these  baptismal  waters  shine. 

Another  baptismal  hymn,  also  written  by  Dr.  Jud- 
son, begins 

Our  Savior  bowed  beneath  the  wave. 


WILLIAM  C.  BUCK. 

1790-1872. 

Rev.  William  C.  Buck  was  born  in  Shenandoah 
(now  Warren)  County,  Virginia,  August  23,  1790. 
His  early  years  were  spent  on  his  father's  farm. 
In  his  seventeenth  year  he  was  baptized,  and  united 
with  the  Water  Lick  Baptist  church.  His  thoughts 
were  early  directed  to  the  Christian  ministry,  and  in 
1812,  he  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church  of  which 
he  was  a  member.  In  the  war  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain,  1812-1815,  he  served  as 
a  lieutenant.  In  1820,  he  made  his  way  to  Union 
County,  Kentucky,  where  for  many  years  he  was  en- 
gaged in  missionary  work.  In  1836,  he  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in 
Louisville.     Not  long  after  he  aided  in  the  organiza- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  273 

tion  of  the  East  Baptist  church.  He  was  also  editor 
of  "The  Baptist  Banner  and  Western  Pioneer."  In 
1851,  he  was  elected  secretary  of  the  Bible  Board  of 
the  Southern  Baptist  Convention.  This  position  he 
held  until  March,  1854,  when  he  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Baptist  church  in  Columbus,  Miss.  In 
May,  1857,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Greensborough,  Ala.  In  the  following  year  he  served 
the  Baptist  church  in  Selma.  Subsequently,  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  civil  war,  he  published  "  The  Baptist 
Correspondent"  at  Marion,  Ala.  Then  he  became  a 
missionary  in  the  Confederate  army.  In  1864,  he  was 
appointed  superintendent  of  the  Orphan's  Home  at 
Lauderdale  Springs,  Miss.  He  also  had  the  pastoral 
oversight  of  the  Sharon  church.  In  1866,  he  removed 
to  Texas,  where  he  continued  to  labor  for  the  Master, 
until  his  death  at  Waco,  May  18,  1872. 

Gen.  Mason  Brayman,  who  knew  Mr.  Buck  during 
his  residence  at  Louisville,  says:  "Mr.  Buck  was 
robust  in  constitution,  of  wonderful  force  of  character, 
full  of  enterprise  and  hard  work.  He  was  an  eloquent 
and  impressive  preacher,  and  the  first  to  set  on  foot  in 
Kentucky  the  China  mission."  His  published  works 
were  "The  Philosophy  of  Rehgion"  and  "The  Science 
of  Life."  In  1842,  with  the  purpose  of  giving  to  the 
Baptists  of  the  south  and  west  a  better  hymn  book 
than  any  then  in  use  in  those  parts  of  the  country,  he 
published  "  The  Baptist  Hymn  Book."  In  the  preface 
he  says  :  "  It  was  commenced  upon  my  knees,  and  in 
every  stage  of  my  labors,  assistance  has  been  sought 
from  on  high."  It  comprised  one  thousand  and  eighty 
nine  hymns,  eight  hundred  and  seventy  eight  in  the 
first  part  and  two  hundred  and  eleven  in  the  second. 
Of  these,  five  were  written  by  Mr.  Buck, 

"  Great  God,  our  thought  of  thee," 

"  Gracious  Lord,  hast  thou  redeemed  me  ?  " 

18 


274  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"  O  shout!   for  the  day  of  the  Lord," 

"  Alone  in  the  world  though  a  pilgrim  I  roam,' 

and  the  following: 

Behold,  O  Lord,  at  thy  command. 
Thy  saints  assembled  from  afar, 

To  send  thy  word  to  every  land ; 
O!  condescend  to  hear  our  prayer! 

O  fire  our  souls  with  holy  zeal; 

Dissolve  our  hearts  in  love  to  thee; 
And  teach  us,  as  thyself,  to  feel 

For  fallen  man,  where'er  he  be. 

From  every  continent  and  isle. 
From  every  nation  on  the  earth, 

We  hear  the  dying  sinner's  wail, 
And  long  to  send  the  gospel  forth. 

A  thousand  hearts  to  thee  are  bowed ; 

A  thousand  hands  with  thine  employ; 
O  come  and  help  us,  blessed  God, 

The  powers  of  darkness  to  destroy. 

Gird  on  thy  sword,  victorious  Prince, 
Thy  blood-stained  banner  wide  display; 

Haste  on  thy  conquests,  King  of  Peace, 
And  bring  thy  glorious  latter  day. 


JOHN  RUSSELL. 

1793-1863. 

Rev.  W.  C.  Buck,  in  the  preface  to  his  "Baptist 
Hymn  Book"  (1842),  says  the  collection  contains  some 
original  hymns  of  his  own,  and  adds:  "There  are, 
also,  some  from  the  pen  of  brother  John  Russell,  of 
Bluffdale,  Illinois,  whose  reputation  as  a  scholar  and  a 
writer  needs  no  commendation.  They  were  written 
by  Mr.  Russell  expressly  for  this  work,  and  have  never 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  275 

before  been  published."  Only  one  hymn  (245)  in  the 
collection,  however,  has  Dr.  Russell's  name  attached 
to  it.  It  is  entitled  "Come  to  Christ,"  and  is  as 
follows : 

Ho,  ye  who  thirst!  a  living  fount 

For  you  is  opened  wide; 
The  fount  that  gushed  on  Calvary's  mount, 

From  our  Kedeemer's  side. 

Come,  seek  salvation  through  the  hlood 

So  freely  poured  for  you ; 
O  leave  the  broad  and  downward  road 

That  leads  to  endless  woe. 

Come,  ye  who  long  in  vain  have  sought 

True  happiness  to  find; 
In  all  the  joys  of  earth  there  's  nought 

Can  fill  the  immortal  mind. 

Come,  and  partake  the  blessed  feast 

That  Christ  for  you  has  spread; 
Not  all  the  treasures  of  the  east 

Could  buy  this  living  bread. 

Come,  join  the  humble,  happy  band, 

That  sing  redemption's  lay; 
With  them  united,  heart  and  hand, 

Pursue  the  heavenly  way. 

Then,  when  this  fleeting  life  is  o'er, 

Our  toils  and  sorrows  done, 
With  shouts  of  joy  we  'H  hail  the  shore 

Which  Christ  for  us  hath  won. 

There,  while  eternal  ages  roll, 

On  the  blessed  theme  we  '11  dwell; 
That  Jesus  died  to  save  our  souls 

From  endless  death  and  hell. 

John  Russell,  ll.d.,  was  born  in  Cavendish,  Vt., 
July  1,  1793.  His  father,  Rev.  John  Russell,  was  a 
Baptist  minister,  justly  revered  for  his  piety  and  ster- 
ling integrity.  The  son's  early  educational  advan- 
tages were  exceedingly  limited,  but  possessing  a  some- 


276  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

what  philosophical  mind  and  an  unquenchable  thirst 
for  improvement,  he  determined  at  an  early  age  to 
secure  a  classical  education.  He  accordingly  entered 
Middlebury  College,  and  was  graduated  in  1812. 
During  his  youth  he  was  greatly  distressed  on  account 
of  his  sinfulness,  and  while  teaching  in  Vergennes, 
near  the  close  of  his  college  course,  he  was  converted, 
and  baptized  by  Rev.  Mr.  Wood,  of  Addison  County. 
From  that  time  until  his  death  his  piety  was  sincere 
and  ardent,  and  his  confidence  in  Christ  unwavering. 
His  timidity  and  sensitiveness  were  excessive,  and 
although  he  received  a  license  to  preach,  continually 
struggling  with  his  convictions  concerning  preaching, 
he  was  never  ordained.  Soon  after  his  graduation  he 
went  to  Georgia,  and  engaged  in  teaching.  In  1819, 
he  removed  to 'Missouri,  where  he  taught  in  a  private 
family  seven  years.  Subsequently  he  taught  in  St. 
Louis,  Vandalia,  Alton  Seminary ;  and  in  later  life  he 
was  principal  of  Spring  Hill  Academy,  East  Feliciana, 
La.,  eight  years.  Afterward  he  taught  in  Carrollton, 
Greene  County,  111.  In  the  meantime  his  pen  was  un- 
wearied and  powerful.  He  edited  "The  Backwoods- 
man," published  at  Grafton,  111.,  two  years,  and  the 
Louisville  (Kentucky)  "Advertiser"  two  years. 
About  1820,  he  published  "The  Venomous  Worm,  or 
Worm  of  the  Still."  To  counteract  Universalism  In 
his  own  neighborhood,  he  prepared  and  delivered  a 
discourse  on  "The  Serpent  Unveiled,"  which  was  sub- 
sequently published,  and  became  deservedly  popular. 

Rev.  Justus  Buckley,  d.d.,  an  intimate  friend,  says 
of  Dr.  Russell:  "He  was  no  inconsiderable  linguist. 
He  read  Latin,  Greek,  French,  Spanish,  German  and 
Italian,  with  almost  as  much  ease  as  his  mother  tongue. 
His  mind  was  philosophical,  logical,  analytical;  his 
diction  chaste,  classical,  sometimes  even  captivating; 
his  writings  evince  clearness,  conciseness,  vigor,  wit, 
and  beauty.  Especially  in  his  private  correspondence 
were  exhibited  the  sprightliness  of  wit,  the  ripeness  of 


AND  THEIR  HYMXS.  277 

scholarship,  the  fertility  of  imagination,  the  childlike 
confidence,  and  the  deep,  ardent  piety,  all  combining 
to  make  him  revered  and  loved." 

Dr.  Russell  died  after  a  short  illness,  at  his  home  iu 
Bluffdale,  III,  January  21,  1863. 


NATHANIEL  COLVER. 

1794-1870. 

"  A  noble,  great-souled,  loving  man  "  was  Dr.  Rol- 
lin  H.  Neale's  testimony  concerning  Nathaniel  Colver, 
D.D.,  who  was  born  in  Orwell,  Vt.,  May  10,  1794. 
When  he  was  between  one  and  two  years  of  age  his 
father  removed  to  Champlain,  in  northern  New  York, 
and  later,  when  he  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  to 
West  Stockbridge,  Mass.  Subsequently  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  a  tanner  and  currier.  His  conversion 
occurred  when  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  and 
he  was  baptized  June  9,  1817,  by  Rev.  John  M.  Peck, 
then  on  a  visit  to  West  Stockbridge.  The  proposal  of 
his  brethren  that  he  should  devote  liimself  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  he  met  at  first  with  a  firm  refusal,  on 
account  of  his  conviction  of  his  personal  unfitness; 
but  he  afterward  yielded,  and  he  was  ordained  at  West 
Clarendon,  Yt.,  in  1819.  There  he  labored  as  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  church  two  years.  He  was  afterward 
pastor  at  Fort  Covington,  N.  Y.,  and  later,  at  Kings- 
bury, Fort  Ann  and  Union  Village.  In  1834,  he 
became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Holmesburgh, 
near  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  but  a  few  months  later  he 
returned  to  Union  Village,  where  he  remained  as  pas- 
tor of  the  church  until  1838.  That  year  was  spent  in 
the  service  of  the  American  Antislavery  Society,  and 
he  lectured  in  many  places  iu  New  England.     It  was  in 


278  BAPTIST  HYMIN'  WRITERS 

this  way  that  he  became  acquainted  with  the  brethren 
who  organized  what  is  now  the  Union  Temple  Baptist 
church,  which,  since  1843,  has  worshiped  in  Tremont 
Temple,  Boston.  Timothy  Gilbert  was  the  leading 
spirit  of  this  enterprise,  and  he  found  in  Nathaniel 
Colver  a  true  yoke-fellow.  Here  Dr.  Colver  found  a 
field  fitted  for  his  peculiar  gifts,  and  here  he  preached 
with  growing  power.  He  was  in  sympathy  with  the 
prominent  reforms  of  the  day,  and  as  pastor  of 
Tremont  Temple  he  was  in  the  very  heart  of  the 
antislavery  agitation. 

In  1852,  he  resigned  his  Boston  pastorate,  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
South  Abington,  Mass.  Here  he  remained  until  April, 
1853,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Detroit,  Mich.  In  1856,  he 
became  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio.  Soon  after,  Granville  College,  now  Denison 
University,  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  doctor 
of  divinity.  In  1861,  he  removed  to  Chicago,  to  take 
the  pastorate  of  the  Tabernacle,  now  the  Second  Bap- 
tist church.  While  in  Chicago  he  took  a  deep  interest 
in  the  organization  of  what  is  now  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Morgan  Park.  In  1867-70,  he  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Freedman's  Institute,  at  Richmond,  Va., 
and  laid  the  foundations  of  the  excellent  work  since 
carried  on  by  Dr.  Corey  and  his  assistants.  On  ac- 
count of  failino;  health  Dr.  Colver  returned  to  Chicao:o, 
where  he  died,  September  25, 1870. 

Dr.  Colver  was  a  lover  of  hymns.  He  loved,  too, 
to  arrange  his  own  thoughts  in  verse,  and  often  when 
his  heart  was  stirred  by  some  great  theme  he  was 
meditating  for  presentation  in  his  pulpit,  he  would 
dash  off  a  hymn  to  be  sung  in  connection  with  the 
sermon.  He  wrote  the  first  hymn  sung  at  his  instal- 
lation, in  Boston,  September  15,  1839,  commencing 

While  the  earth  is  clad  in  darkness. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  279 

He  wrote  also  a  hymn  which  was  sung  at  the  dedica- 
tion of  Tremont  Temple,  December  7,  1843.  It  will 
be  remembered  that  the  Temple  was  the  old  Tremont 
Theater.  The  first  three  stanzas  of  the  hymn  were 
as  follows : 

Great  God,  before  thy  reverend  name, 
Within  these  ransomed  walls  we  bow; 

Too  long  abused  by  sin  and  shame, 
To  thee  we  consecrate  them  now. 

Satan  has  here  held  empire  long, 

A  blighting  curse,  a  cruel  reign, 
By  mimic  scenes,  and  mirth,  and  song. 

Alluring  souls  to  endless  pain. 

Fiction  no  morel  Gpd's  truth  at  last 
Shall  here  portray  eternal  scenes; 
The  Gospel  peal,  the  battle  blast, 

Or  charm  with  Calvary's  gentler  strains. 

In  the  "  Christian  Melodist,"  compiled  by  Dr.  Ban- 
vard,  and  published  in  1848,  are  sixteen  hymns  by 
Dr.  Colver.  The  one  (198)  which  is  still  most  in  use, 
having  been  transferred  to  other  collections,  is  the 
following : 

Come,  Lord,  in  mercy  come  again, 

With  thy  converting  power; 
The  fields  of  Zion  thirst  for  rain, 

O  send  a  gracious  shower  I 

Our  hearts  are  filled  with  sore  distress, 

While  sinners  all  around 
Are  pressing  on  to  endless  death. 

And  no  relief  is  found. 

Dear  Savior!  come  with  quick'ning  power, 

Thy  mourning  people  cry; 
Salvation  bring  in  mercy's  hour, 

Nor  let  the  sinner  die. 

Once  more  let  converts  throng  thj'-  house, 

And  shouts  of  victory  raise ; 
Then  shall  our  griefs  be  turned  to  joy, 

And  sighs  to  songs  of  praise. 


280  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Another  of  Dr.  Colver's  hymns,  hardly  less  well 
known,  commences 

Weep  for  the  lost!  the  Savior  wept 
O'er  Salem's  hapless  doom. 

He  also  contributed  five  hymns  to  "  Ocean  Melo- 
dies" (1849),  a  collection  of  hymns  for  seamen  com- 
piled by  Rev.  Phineas  Stowe. 


THOMAS  B.  RIPLEY. 

1795-1876. 

Rev.  Thomas  B.  Ripley,  a  younger  brother  of 
Henry  J.  Ripley,  d.d.,  long  a  professor  in  Newton 
Theological  Institution,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass., 
November  20,  1795,  and  received  his  name,  Thomas 
Baldwin,  in  honor  of  the  well  known  pastor  of  his 
parents.  When  about  fifteen  years  of  age  he  united 
with  Dr.  Baldwin's  church,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year, 
1810,  he  entered  Brown  University.  After  his  gradu- 
ation, in  1814,  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  pur- 
sued theological  studies  under  Dr.  William  Staughton. 
Returning  to  Boston  in  1815,  he  was  invited  in  the 
fall  of  that  year  to  supply  the  pulpit  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Portland,  Maine.  He  was  not  then  quite 
twenty  years  of  age,  but  his  labors  were  so  much  ap- 
preciated that  after  a  few  months  he  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  church  and  in  the  following  year, 
July  24,  1816,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  church. 
Dr.  Baldwin  preaching  the  sermon.  A  very  extensive 
revival  of  religion  followed,  and  more  than  seventy 
united  with  the  church.  He  enjoyed  the  friendship 
and  companionship  of  the  sainted  Pay  son,  whose 
church  was  near  his  own.  Here  he  remained  twelve 
years,  when  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  First 
Baptist  church  in  Bangor.  Leaving  Bangor  in  1834, 
he   became  for  a  short  time  the  pastor  of  the   Baptist 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  281 

church  in  Woburn,  Mass.,  and  later  he  supplied  the 
pulpit  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Providence,  R.  I. 
We  next  find  him  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  preaching,  and  giving  instruction  in  a 
young  ladies'  seminary.  He  remained  in  Nashville 
until  1852,  and  then  returned  to  New  England. 

About  this  time  occurred  the  death  of  his  only  son, 
a  young  man  of  much  promise,  a  graduate  of  Brown 
University,  and  at  that  time  a  student  in  Newton  The- 
ological Institution.  It  was  an  affliction  hard  to  bear, 
but  n©t  a  murmur  passed  the  good  man's  lips.  And 
so  he  came  back  to  Portland,  where  not  long  after  he 
was  appointed  city  missionary.  It  was  a  service  for 
which  he  had  many  excellent  qualifications.  His  very 
presence  in  any  place  was  a  Christian  benediction.  He 
had  a  heart  full  of  tenderest  sympathy  for  the  sick 
among  the  children  of  toil  and  want,  and  it  was  a 
pleasure  for  him  to  minister  to  them.  Almost  to  the 
close  of  life,  when  bowed  with  age,  and  hardly  able  to 
leave  his  home  on  account  of  his  infirmities,  he  would 
go  forth  on  errands  of  mercy,  thinking  not  of  himself, 
but  only  of  others.  "When  death  came,  May  4,  1876, 
he  was  ready  to  meet  the  summons.  He  had  not  laid 
up  for  himself  earthly  treasures.  Indeed,  his  citizen- 
ship had  long  been  in  heaven. 

In  1821,  while  in  Portland,  Mr.  Ripley  published 
"A  Selection  of  Hymns  for  Conference  and  Prayer 
Meetings."  In  1831,  after  his  removal  to  Bangor,  he 
published  a  second  edition  of  this  book,  revised  and 
enlarged.  The  names  of  the  authors  of  the  hymns 
are  not  given  in  either  edition.  The  following  hymn, 
163  in  the  second  edition,  and  written  by  Mr.  Ripley, 
as  we  learn  from  other  sources,  was  ''  sung  at  the  bap- 
tism of  several  young  persons"  during  his  Portland 
pastorate : 

Oh  thou,  who  once  in  Jordan's  wave 

Wast  buried  by  thy  servaut's  hand, 
Who  didst  the  great  example  leave, 

Look  dowu  and  bless  this  youthful  band. 


282  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

On  them  thy  Holy  Spirit  pour, 
While  they  thy  sacred  footsteps  trace, 

Make  this  to  them  a  heavenly  hour; 
O  fill  their  hearts  with  thy  rich  grace. 

Buried  with  thee,  may  they  arise 

To  live  a  life  divinely  new ; 
To  serve  thee  here,  till  in  the  skies 

Thy  unveiled  presence  they  shall  view. 

And  may  each  one  of  them  at  last 

Appear  before  thy  radiant  throne, 
Their  golden  crowns  before  thee  cast,  . 

And  ever  praise  the  great  Three  One. 

Rev.  F.  M.  Bird,  the  well  known  liymnologist,  sug- 
gests that  hymns  24,  113,  136  and  169,  in  this  second 
edition,  were  a}so  written  by  Mr.  Ripley  j  at  least, 
they  are  not  found  elsewhere. 


JOHN  BLAIN. 

1795-1879. 

In  some  of  the  earlier  American  Baptist  hymn 
books  "  parting  "  hymns  have  a  f)lace.  In  the  "  Bap- 
tist Harmony  "  (1834),  with  other  hymns  of  this  class, 
is  one  (447)  by  Rev.  John  Blain,  written  in  1818: 

My  Christian  friends  in  bonds  of  love, 
Whose  hearts  in  sweetest  union  prove; 
Your  friendship  's  like  a  drawing  band, 
Yet  we  must  take  the  parting  hand. 

Your  company  's  sweet,  your  union  dear. 
Your  words  delightful  to  my  ear; 
Yet  when  I  see  that  we  must  part, 
You  draw  like  cords  around  my  heart. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  283 

How  sweet  the  hours  have  passed  away, 
Since  we  have  met  to  sing  and  pray; 
How  loth  we  are  to  leave  the  place 
Where  Jesus  shows  his  smiling  face. 

O  could  I  stay  with  friends  so  kind, 
How  v.ould  it  cheer  my  drooping  mind. 
But  duty  makes  me  understand 
That  Ave  must  take  the  parting  hand. 

And  since  it  is  God's  holy  will, 
■\Ve  must  be  parted  for  a  while, 
In  sweet  submission,  all  as  one. 
We  '11  say,  our  Father's  will  be  done. 

My  youthful  friends  in  Christian  ties, 
Who  seek  for  mansions  in  the  skies, 
right  on,  we  '11  gain  that  happy  shore, 
W^ere  parting  will  be  known  no  more. 

How  oft  I  've  seen  your  flowing  tears. 
And  heard  you  tell  your  hopes  and  fears. 
Your  hearts  with  love  were  seen  to  flame. 
Which  makes  me  hope  we  '11  meet  again. 

.  Ye  mourning  souls,  lift  up  your  eyes 
To  glorious  mansions  in  the  skies; 
O,  trust  his  grace  —in  Canaan's  land 
We  '11  no  more  take  the  parting  hand. 

And  now,  my  friends,  both  old  and  young, 
I  hope  in  Christ  you'll  still  go  on; 
And  if  on  earth  we  meet  no  more, 
O,  may  we  meet  on  Canaan's  shore. 

I  hope  you  '11  all  remember  me. 
If  you  on  earth  no  more  I  see; 
An  interest  in  your  prayers  I  crave 
Thd,t  we  may  meet  beyond  the  grave. 

O,  glorious  dayl     O,  blessed  hope! 
My  soul  leaps  forward  at  the  thought 
When  on  that  happy,  happy  land, 
We  '11  no  more  take  the  parting  hand. 


284  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

But  with  our  blessed,  holy  Lord, 
We  '11  shout  and  slug  with  one  accord; 
And  there  we  '11  all  with  Jesus  dwell  — 
So,  loving  Christians,  fare  you  well. 

A  part  of  this  hymn,  altered  by  Rev.  H.  L.  Hastings, 
is  number  1259  in  ''  Songs  of  Pilgrimage." 

Rev.  John  Blain  was  born  in  Fishkill,  Duchess 
County,  N.  Y.,  February  14,  1795.  He  was  the 
youngest  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  were  sons, 
and  became  preachers  of  the  gospel.  Converted  when 
fifteen  years  of  age,  he  did  not  enter  into  church  re- 
lations until  1818.  He  was  then  baptized,  and  united 
with  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Albany,  N.  Y.  His 
heart  yearned  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  he  entered 
upon  a  limited  course  of  study  in  Fairfield,  afterward 
at  Middlebury "  Academy,  in  western  New  York. 
While  in  the  academy  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and 
on  leaving  the  institution  he  received  ordination.  In 
a  ministry  of  nearly  sixty  years  his  pastorates  were  as 
follows  :  Auburn,  N.  Y. ;  Pawtucket,  R.  I. ;  Ncav  York 
City,  York,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. ;  New  London,  Connecti- 
cut; Charlestown,  Mass.;  Central  Falls,  R.  I.;  and 
Mansfield,  Mass.  In  addition  to  his  regular  pastoral 
work  he  frequently  did  the  work  of  an  evangelist. 
During  his  ministry  he  baptized  more  than  three 
thousand  persons.  "  That  he  had  great  power  as  a 
preacher  is  attested  by  the  important  positions  which 
he  occupied.  He  had  both  intensity  and  immensity 
of  heart.  John  Blain  in  the  pulpit  with  tearful  eyes 
and  every  feature  of  his  face  working  with  holy  emo- 
tion, with  a  voice  singularly  effective  in  its  penetrat- 
rating  pathos,  and  arms  extended  with  embracing 
graciousness,  as  though  to  draw  the  sinner  to  his 
breast,  was  a  picture  to  study."  Frugal  in  all  his 
habits,  he  saved  that  he  might  give.  His  contri- 
butions to  objects  of  benevolence  during  his  life 
amounted  to  twenty  thousand  dollars,  and  by  will  he 
left  ten  thousand  dollars  to  home  and  foreign  missions. 
He  died  in  Mansfield,  Mass.,  December  26,  1879. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  285 

SAMUEL  W.  LYND. 

1796-1876. 

Samuel  W.  Lyxd,  son  of  Samuel  Lynd,  a  j^rosper- 
ous  silk  merchant  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  was  born  in 
that  city,  December  23,  1796.  He  received  a  good 
classical,  though  not  a  collegiate,  education.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-four  he  was  converted,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Dr.  William  Staughton,  whose  eldest  daugh- 
ter, Leonora,  he  married.  He  studied  theology  with 
Dr.  Staughton,  but  the  failure  of  his  voice  compelled 
him  to  delay  entrance  upon  the  work  of  the  Christian 
ministry,  and  for  several  years  he  and  Mrs.  Lynd,  a 
most  efficient  helper,  conducted  a  school  for  young 
ladies  in  Baltimore.  In  January,  1824,  Mr.  Lynd  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Navy  Yard  J3aptist  church,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  January  1,  1831,  he  accepted  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Sixth  Street,  now  the  Ninth  Street  Bap- 
tist church  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  he  continued  in 
that  relation  until  December,  1845,  when  he  accepted 
a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Second  Baptist  church  in 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  In  1848,  he  became  president  of  the 
Western  Baptist  Theological  Seminary,  at  Covington, 
Ky.,  and  subsequently  of  Georgetown  College,  Ky. 
In  1853,  he  removed  to  a  farm  near  Lockport,  111.,  but 
a  few  years  afterward  he  became  pastor  of  the  Fourth 
Baptist  church,  Chicago,  111.  Subsequently,  for  a 
while,  he  was  pastor  of  the  Mt.  Auburn  Baptist 
church,  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  About  1863-4,  he  returned 
to  Lockport,  111.,  where  he  died,  June  17,  1876. 

Dr.  Lynd  was  a  man  of  great  personal  worth,  and 
probably  did  more  than  any  other  one  man  to  build  up 
the  Baptist  cause  in  Cincinnati  and  vicinity.  In  his 
own  church  he  was  a  power.  He  found  it  a  little 
band  of  nineteen  members,  and  left  it  with  a  member- 
ship of  about  five  hundred,  having  vainly  urged  it  to 
colonize,  saying  to  his  brethren  that  if  they  did  not  di- 


286  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

vide,  the  devil  would  divide  them,  a  task  which  the  lat- 
ter soon  after  undertook  with  considerable  success. 
Dr.  Lynd  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  controversy 
growing  out  of  the  slavery  question,  also  of  Campbell- 
ism  (wrestling  with  Alexander  Campbell  in  the  col- 
umns of  "The  Millennial  Harbinger,"  conducted  by 
the  latter),  and  standing  firmly  for  missions,  when  the 
Miami  Association  was  rent  by  the  anti-mission  ele- 
ment. He  was  a  member  of  the  committee  which 
approved  and  commended  "The  Psalmist"  to  the  Bap- 
tist churches  of  the  country,  and  he  preached  the  ser- 
mon before  the  Missionary  Union  in  Philadelphia,  in 
1844. 

To  Miller's  "  New  Selection  of  Psalms,  Hymns  and 
Spiritual  Songs"  (1835),  Dr.  Lynd  contributed  seven 
hymns  : 

"  To  Jesus  now  my  youthful  heart," 

"  Another  brought  through  grace,  we  trust," 

"  Once  a  poor  thoughtless  child  was  I," 

"  '  "Wine  is  a  mocker,'  so  the  word," 

"  Thy  servants,  Lord,  today," 

"  Of  Jesus  Christ  I  'm  not  ashamed," 

and  the  following,  for  use  at  a  convention  or  an 
association : 

Hail,  brethren,  while  together  met, 

"Welcome  your  counsels  and  your  prayers; 

May  kindred  objects  love  beget. 

And  love  disperse  our  anxious  cares. 

May  every  heart  with  thanks  abound, 
And  courage  take  from  mutual  aims; 

May  Zion's  interests  dear  be  found 
To  every  breast  which  truth  inflames. 

Here  may  the  cause  of  Christ  employ 
Our  willing  hearts  and  faithful  hands; 

And  all  our  powers  engage  with  joy 
To  break  the  tempter's  fatal  bands. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  287 

May  holy  zeal  our  souls   inspire  j 

And  self  'in  noble  deeds  be  lost; 
Christ  and  his  cross  our  bosoms  fire, 

Glory  to  God  our  only  boast. 

O  Lord,  thy  blessing  we  implore; 

On  this  alone  our  hope  relies ; 
Grant  us  but  this,  we  ask  no  more, 

i^o  richer  boon  beneath  the  skies. 


JAMES  D.  KNOWLES. 

1798-1838. 

Peof.  James  Davis  Knowles  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  July  6,  1798.  His  father  having  died 
when  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  he  was  apprenticed 
to  a  printer,  and  acquired  a  thorough  acquaintance 
with  the  various  departments  of  work  in  a  printing-of- 
fice, and  also  considerable  facility  in  writing  for  the 
press.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  became  a  co-ed- 
itor of  "The  Rhode  Island  American."  In  March, 
1820,  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Dr.  Gano,  pastor  of 
the  First  Baptist  church,  Providence,  and  in  the  au- 
tumn following,  having  decided  to  enter  upon  the 
work  of  the  Christian  ministry,  he  was  licensed  by 
the  church,  and  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  in 
Philadelphia,  of  which  Dr.  William  Staughton  and 
Rev.  Irah  Chase  were  the  professors.  In  January, 
1822,  the  seminary  was  united  with  Columbian  Col- 
lege, Washington,  D.  C,  and  Mr.  Knowles  followed 
his  instructors  thither,  and  entered  the  college.  Here 
he  not  only  pursued  the  studies  of  his  class  with  such 
success  that  he  carried  off  the  highest  honors  at  his 
graduation,  in  1824,  but  he  also  edited  with  ability, 
during  his  college  course,  '^The  Columbian  Star,"  a 
weekly  religious  paper.     After  his  graduation  he  was 


288  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

made  a  tutor  in  the  college,  but  in  the  autumn  of  the 
following  year,  having  received  a  call  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  Second  Baptist  church  in  Boston,  then  vacant 
by  the  death  of  Dr.  Baldwin,  he  removed  to  Boston, 
where  he  was  ordained,  December  28,  1825. 

Here  he  remained  seven  years,  and  then,  on  account 
of  impaired  health,  he  resigned,  and  accepted  the  pro- 
fessorship of  Pastoral  Duties  and  Sacred  Rhetoric  in 
Newton  Theological  Institution,  to  which  he  had  been 
previously  appointed.  The  change  proved  to  be  a  fa- 
vorable one,  and  with  restored  health  he  devoted  him- 
self to  the  duties  of  his  new  position  with  diligence 
and  success,  and  at  length  took  upon  himself  the  edi- 
torship of  "The  Christian  Review." 

On  his  return  from  a  visit  to  New  York,  early  in 
May,  1838,  he  was  stricken  down  by  an  attack  of  con- 
fluent small-pox,  and  died  May  9,  at  the  age  of  forty 
years.  His  grave  is  on  the  Institution  grounds,  a  lit- 
tle in  the  rear  of  Sturtevant  Hall.  In  an  account  of 
his  death,  w^'itten  by  his  wife,  it  is  stated:  "The  day 
before  he  left  home  for  his  last  fatal  journey,  while 
passing  through  the  grounds  to  attend  public  worship, 
he  observed  the  springing  vegetation,  and,  with  lifted 
hand,  repeated  with  earnest  emphasis  these  lines  of 
Seattle's : 

Shall  I  be  left  forgotten  in  the  dust 

When  Fate  relenting  lets  the  flower  revive  ? 

Shall  Nature's  voice,  to  man  alone  unjust, 
Bid  him,  though  doomed  to  perish,  hope  to  live?" 

The  following  is  a  list  of  Prof.  Knowdes'  publica- 
tions: "Perils  and  Safeguards  of  American  Liberty; 
Address  Pronounced  on  the  Four.th  of  July,  at  the 
Second  Baptist  Meeting  House  in  Boston,  at  the  Re- 
ligious Celebration  of  the  Anniversary  of  American 
Independence,  by  the  Baptist  Churches  and  Societies 
in  Boston,"  1828.  "Memoirs  of  Mrs.  Ann  H.  Judson, 
Late  Missionary  to  Burmah,"  1829.     "Spirituous  Liq- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  289 

uors  Pernicious  and  Useless.  A  Fast  Day  Sermon  De- 
livered at  Boston,"  1829.  "Importance  of  Theolog- 
ical Institutions.  Address  before  Newton  Theological 
Institution,"  1832.  "  Memoir  of  Roger  Williams,  the 
Founder  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,"  1834. 

As  a  hymn  writer.  Prof.  Knowles  is  known  by  a  sin- 
gle hymn  (Psalmist,  939) : 

O  God,  though  countless  worlds  of  light 

Thy  power  and  glory  show, 
Though  round  thy  throne,  above  all  hight, 

Immortal  seraphs  glow, — 

Yet  oft  to  men  of  ancient  time 

Thy  glorious  presence  came, 
And  in  Moriah's  fane  sublime 

Thou  didst  record  thy  name. 

And  now,  where'er  thy  saints  apart 

Are  met  for  praise  and  prayer, 
Wherever  sighs  a  contrite  heart, 

Thou,  gracious  God,  art  there. 

With  grateful  joy  thy  children  rear 

This  temple.  Lord,  to  thee; 
Long  may  they  sing  thy  praises  here, 

And  here  thy  beauty  see. 

Here,  Savior,  deign  thy  saints  to  meet; 

With  peace  their  hearts  to  fill ; 
And  here  like  Sharon's  odors  sweet. 

May  grace  divine  distil. 

Here  may  thy  truth  fresh  triumphs  win ; 

Eternal  Spirit,  here, 
In  many  a  heart,  now  dead  in  sin, 

A  living  temple  rear. 
19 


290  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

ENOCH  W.  FREEMAN. 

1798-1835. 

A  hymn  often  sung  in  prayer-meetings  in  New- 
England  thirty  and  forty  years  ago,  to  the  tune 
"  Scots  wha  hae,"  commenced 

Eouse  ye  at  the  Savior's  call. 

It  was  written  by  Rev.  Enoch  Weston  Freeman,  a 
native  of  Minot,  Me.,  where  he  was  born,  December 
16,  1798.  His  early  years  were  spent  on  his  father's 
farm.  Hebron  Academy  was  only  a  few  miles  away, 
and  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age  he  availed 
himself  of  its  advantages,  distinguishing  himself  in 
the  institution  by  his  amiable  deportment  and  indus- 
trious habits.  In  1817,  he  took  charge  of  a  school  in 
Wiscasset.  Up  to  this  time  he  had  manifested  no 
personal  interest  in  religion,  but  in  the  winter  of 
1818,  a  sermon  from  the  text,  "  Having  their  con- 
science seared  with  a  hot  iron,"  led  to  the  aban- 
donment of  his  former  unbelief,  and  he  became  an 
earnest  inquirer.  He  at  length  found  what  he  sought. 
Peace  then  came  like  a  river,  and  his  joy  in  the  Lord 
was  overflowing.  He  was  baptized  by  Rev.  George 
Ricker,  and  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Minot. 
Not  long  after  the  youiig  convert  recognized  the  need 
of  more  ministers,  and  in  answer  to  what  he  regarded 
as  a  divine  call  summoning  him  to  the  work  of  preach- 
ing the  gospel,  he  commenced  a  course  of  study  pre- 
paratory to  a  collegiate  course,  and  in  1823,  he  became 
a  student  at  Waterville  College.  During  his  connec- 
tion with  the  college  —  he  was  graduated  in  1827, — 
he  greatly  endeared  himself  to  his  instructors  and  to 
his  fellow  students.  Having  received  a  license  to 
preach,  he  exercised  his  gifts  as  opportunity  offered. 
A  part  of  his  winter  vacation,  1826-7,  and  also  of  the 
months  of  May  and  June,  1827,  he  spent  by  invitation 


AND  THEIR  HYMXS.  291 

with  the  Baptist  church  in  St.  John,  N.  B.  November 
21,  1827,  he  was  ordained  as  an  evangeUst  in  New 
Gloucester,  and  here  he  preached  a  few  months  with 
gratifying  results.  June  4,  1828,  he  was  recognized 
as  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Lowell,  Mass., 
and  here,  greatly  beloved  by  his  people  and  through- 
out the  community,  he  served  his  Master  until  his 
sudden  death,  Sept.  22,  1835. 

In  1829,  Mr.  Freeman  published  at  Exeter,  N.  H.,  a 
small  hymn  book  entitled  "  A  Selection  of  Hymns, 
Including  a  few  Originals,  Designed  to  Aid  the  Friends 
of  Zion  in  their  Private  and  Social  Worship."  In  the 
preface  he  says :  "  The  work  of  revival  which  has 
been  carried  forward  in  this  town  for  more  than  three 
years  past,  and  which  is  still  progressing,  seems  to  call 
for  a  greater  number  and  a  more  extensive  variety  of 
hymns  than  is  usually  found  in  collections  of  this 
kind.  At  the  suggestion,  therefore,  of  a  number  of 
my  friends  here  [Lowell],  the  following  selection  has 
been  made."  In  it  Mr.  Freeman  included  seven  of 
his  own  hymns: 

"Behold,  O  Lord,  my  suffering  soul," 
"  Have  you  found  the  precious  Savior?  " 
"  Hither  we  come,  our  dearest  Lord," 
"  When  Christ,  th'  incarnate  Son  of  God," 
"  Aid  us,  O  thou  Holy  Spirit," 
•'In  thy  temple,  God,  Jehovah," 

and  the  following  hymn,  to  which  reference  has  already 
been  made,  and  with  which  the  collection  opens : 

Rouse  ye  at  the  Savior's  call. 
Sinners,  rouse  ye,  one  and  all; 
Wake,  or  soon  your  souls  will  fall. 

Fall  in  deep  despair. 
Woe  to  him  who  turns  away; 
Jesus  kindly  calls  to-day, 
Come,  O  sinner,  while  you  may, 

Eaise  your  soul  in  prayer. 


292  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Heard  ye  not  the  Savior's  cry  ? 

"  Turn,  O  turn,  why  will  you  die  I  " 

And  in  keenest  agony 

Mourn  too  late  your  doom  ! 
Haste,  for  time  is  rushing  on; 
Soon  the  fleeting  hour  is  gone; 
The  lifted  arrow  flies  anon, 

To  sink  you  in  the  tomb. 

By  the  bleeding  Savior's  love, 
By  the  joys  of  heaven  above. 
Let  these  words  your  spirits  move; 

Quick  to  Jesus  fly ! 
Come,  and  save  your  souls  from  death, 
Haste!  escape  Jehovah's  wrath, 
Fly!  for  life  's  a  fleeting  breath. 

Soon,  O  soon,  you  '11  die. 


ROBERT  W.  CUSHMAN. 

1800-1868. 

Rev.  Robert  W.  Cushman,  d.d.,  a  distinguished 
preacher  and  a  well  known  educator,  was  born  in 
Woolwich,  Maine,  April  10,  1800.  In  the  death  of 
his  parents,  in  his  early  years,  he  met  with  an  irrepa- 
rable loss.  He  received  a  careful  training,  however, 
and  when  sixteen  years  of  age  he  accepted  Christ  as 
his  personal  Savior.  Having  in  view  the  work  of  the 
Christian  ministry,  he  entered  Columbian  College, 
Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1825. 
In  August,  1826,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.  Here  he  re- 
mained three  years.  Then  he  removed  to  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  established  the  "Cushman  Collegiate 
Institute,"  for  the  education  of  young  ladies.  In 
1841,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Bowdoin  Square 
Baptist  church,  Boston,  a  position  which  he  retained 
six  years,  attracting   large  congregations.     He   then 


AND  THEIR  HYMXS.  293 

removed  to  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  established  a 
school  for  young  ladies  similar  to  that  with  which  he 
was  connected  in  Philadelphia.  After  a  few  years  he 
returned  to  Boston,  and  became  principal  of  the  Mount 
Vernon  Ladies'  School.  At  the  same  time  he  supplied 
the  pulpit  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Charlestown.  For 
awhile,  also,  he  gave  instruction  in  sacred  rhetoric  at 
Newton  Theological  Institution.  Subsequently  he  re- 
tired to  Wakefield,  Mass.,  where  he  spent  the  closing 
years  of  his  life.     He  died  April  7,  1868. 

Prof.  George  H.  Whittemore,  who  listened  to  Dr. 
Cushman  during  his  pastorate  at  Bowdoin  Square,  and 
greatly  admired  him,  says:  "There  was  a  dignity,  im- 
pressiveness  and  elegance  about  his  person,  bearing, 
and  diction,  which  I  can  never  forget,  though  I  can- 
not recall  the  matter  as  well  as  the  manner  of  his 
efforts.  I  remember  to  have  heard  very  high  praise 
bestowed  upon  his  production  'A  Pure  Christianity 
the  World's  only  Hope.'  He  was  an  exceedingly 
sensitive  person,  and  some  asperity  of  temper  and 
speech  has  at  times  been  ascribed  to  him,  I  believe; 
but  this  shadow  is  dashed  into  the  sketch  of  one  whose 
memory  I  love  and  venerate  to  moderate  the  ideal 
and  exaggerated  glow  of  his  image  as  I  always  recall 
it." 

In  the  "Baptist  Harmony"  (1834),  are  three  hymns 
by  Dr.  Cushman, 

"  Oh  why,  ye  redeemed,  should  the  breath  of  the  tomb," 
"  O  thou  whose  wisdom  gives  a  path," 

and  the  following: 

Lo!  on  a  mount  that  Burma  rears 

To  greet  the  morn  in  eastern  skies, 
A  sable  son  of  Shem  appears, 

And  westward  turns  his  longing  eyes. 

No  sacrifice  the  man  prepares 

For  gods  of  stone,  or  gods  of  gold; 
But,  near  his  heart  he  fondly  bears 

A  book,  in  many  a  careful  fold. 


294  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

That  book  contains  the  words  of  prayer, 

And  tells  of  Christ  for  sinners  slain; 
But  he  has  no  interpreter 

To  make  its  mystic  pages  plain. 

But  he  has  heard  of  holy  men 

Who  yet  should  come  and  pour  a  ray 
Upon  the  soul  of  the  Karen, 

And  turn  his  darkness  into  day. 

The  tidings  spread,  "  They  're  come,  they  're  comel 
They  stand  on  western  shores  afar!  " 

With  bounding  joy  he  leaves  his  horne, 
And  hastes  the  word  of  life  to  share. 

Before  him  lies  the  lengthening  plain ; 

Before  him  rolls  the  swelling  flood; 
And  on  him  falls  the  ceaseless  rain ; 

And  near  him  tigers  thirst  for  blood. 

But  tigers'  howls  affright  him  not; 

The  wilderness,  the  swelling  flood, 
And  falling  storms  are  all  forgot ; 

He  hastes  to  seek  the  unknown  God. 

And  shall  he,  with  no  Bible  given 

To  cheer  his  path,  go  home  again  ? 
Forbid  it,  lovel  forbid  it,  heaven! 

We  '11  haste  to  bless  the  dark  Karen.  , 

To  this  hymn  is  appended  the  following  note : 
"When  the  deputation  from  the  Karens  in  the  inte- 
rior of  Burma  came  to  the  missionaries  to  inquire  if 
they  had,  and  could  give  to  them,  '  the  word  of  the 
eternal  God,'  they  had  in  their  possession,  as  an  object 
of  religious  adoration,  a  book,  which  the  missionaries, 
on  unfolding,  found  to  be  an  EngHsh  Prayer  Book." 

The  first  of  the  three  hymns  by  Dr.  Cushman, 
found  in  the  "  Baptist  Harmony,"  was  included  in  Dr. 
S.  S.  Cutting's  "Hymns  for  the  Vestry"  (1841),  and 
Dr.  A.  D.  Gillette's  "Hymns  for  Social  Meetings" 
(1843). 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  295 

STAUNTON  S.  BURDETT. 


In  1834,  Rev.  Staunton  S.  Burdett,  pastor  of  the 
New  Hope  Baptist  church  near  Lancaster,  South  Caro- 
lina, pubUshed  his  "  Baptist  Harmony,  being  a  Selec- 
tion of  Choice  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs  for  Social 
Worship."  To  this  collection  Mr.  Burdett  contributed 
three  hymns  of  his  own  (206,  238,  248): 

"  Sweet  day  of  rest,  with  pure  delight," 
"  Saints,  obey  your  Lord's  command," 

and  the  following,  entitled  "  The  Mourner  Comforted 
at  the  Feet  of  Jesus": 

My  heart  is  pierced  with  anguish, 
And  darkness  reigns  within; 

0  must  I  ever  languish 
Beneath  this  load  of  sin  ? 

No  balsam  will  relieve  me, 
No  guardian  hand  receive  me, 

To  calm  my  anxious  fears 

And  wipe  away  my  tears. 

1  search  the  sacred  pages. 
My  sorrow  to  beguile, 

But  still  my  anguish  rages. 

And  mercy  hides  her  smile; 
I  lift  my  plea  to  heaven, 
And  still  am  unforgiven ; 

Heaven's  ear  repels  my  cry 

And  I  am  left  to  die. 

At  Jesus'  feet  I  throw  me, 

There,  there  I  will  remain; 
If  he  no  mercy  show  me. 

Yet  he  shall  see  my  pain; 
Perhaps  my  woes  may  move  him; 
With  sighs  and  tears  I  '11  prove  him; 

With  strong,  determined  grasp 

The  precious  cross  I  clasp. 


296  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

What  means  this  sudden  glory, 

Sweet  as  the  morning  sun  ? 
Come,  saints,  and  hear  my  stor}--, 

Salvation  is  begun; 
Salvation  shall  be  ended, 
For  mercy  has  befriended; 

The  Lord,  the  Lord  has  smil'd, 

And  owned  me  as  his  child. 

Mine  eyes,  forget  your  crying. 

Immortal  glories  shine! 
My  heart,  forget  your  sighing, 

Jesus,  the  Lord  is  mine. 
My  tongue  its  psean  raises; 
Come  saints,  and  join  your  praises, 

Our  highest  song  we  '11  bring. 

And  Jesus  crown  our  King. 

Little  can  now  be  learned  concerning  Mr.  Burdett's 
life.  It  is  thought  that  he  was  a  native  of  Connecticut. 
He  was  married  in  South  Carolina^  and  was  pastor  of 
the  New  Hope  church  five  or  six  years.  During  the 
greater  part  of  this  time  he  was  held  in  the  highest 
esteem.  He  was  an  earnest,  eloquent  preacher,  and 
easily  won  friends.  Unfavorable  reports  concerning 
his  Christian  character  at  length  brought  his  pastorate 
of  the  New  Hope  church  to  an  end,  and  Mr.  Burdett 
removed  with  his  family  to  Mississippi  —  Yallabusha 
County,  it  is  believed  —  where  he  continued  to  preach ; 
but  I  have  been  unable  to  trace  him  after  leaving 
South  Carolina.  Dr.  H.  V.  Massey,  of  Matthews,  N. 
C,  who,  in  1835,  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Burdett  during 
his  pastorate  of  the  New  Hope  church,  says  in  a  com- 
munication from  which  I  gathered  most  of  the  above 
facts,  "  I  always  thought  liim  a  good  man." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  297 

CHARLES  THURBER. 

1803-188G. 

Hon.  Charles  Thurber  was  born  January  2,  1803, 
in  Brookfield,  Mass.,  where  his  father,  Bev.  Laban 
Thurber,  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church.  When 
twenty  years  of  age  he  entered  the  freshman  class  in 
Brown  University,  and  was  graduated  in  1827,  having 
as  classmates  Hon.  John  H.  Clifford,  Judge  Mellen 
Chamberlain,  Ebenezer  Thresher,  and  other  men  dis- 
tinguished in  public  life.  His  commencement  part 
was  a  poem  entitled  "  The  Fall  of  Mexico."  For  four 
years  after  his  graduation,  he  was  preceptor  of  Milford 
Academy.  Then,  for  eight  years,  he  was  master  of 
the  Latin  Grammar  School  at  Worcester,  Mass.  He 
now  directed  his  attention  to  mercantile  pursuits,  and 
after  twelve  years  devoted  to  business  in  Worcester 
he  retired  with  a  comfortable  fortune.  During  his 
residence  in  Worcester  he  served  as  County  Commis- 
sioner four  years,  and  also  as  a  member  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Senate.  Upon  retiring  from  business  he 
spent  six  years  in  Europe.  After  his  return  to  this 
country  he  made  his  home  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  In 
1853,  he  was  made  a  trustee  of  Brown  University. 
He  was  a  Baptist  church  member  fifty-five  years,  and 
closed  his  life  at  Nashua,  N.  H.,  November  7,  1886,  at 
the  ripe  age  of  eighty-four  years,  honored  and  beloved 
by  a  very  wide  circle  of  friends. 

Mr.  Thurber  was  a  man  of  literary  tastes  and 
acquirements.  Frequently  he  gave  expression  to  his 
thoughts  in  verse,  and  he  was  a  favorite  poet  on  com- 
mencement occasions,  viz.:  at  Union  College,  Denison 
University,  the  University  of  Lewisburg  (now  Buck- 
nell  University),  Middletown  University,  the  University 
of  Rochester,  Madison  University  twice,  Colby  Uni- 
versity three  times.  Brown  University  many  times, 
and  other  literary  institutions.     He  also  wrote  a  large 


298  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

number  of  songs  and  hymns  for  festal  occasions  and 
religious  gatherings.  The  following  Home  Missionary 
Hymn,  written  by  Mr.  Thurber,  is  from  the  "  Baptist 
Praise  Book"  (1872): 

From  yonder  Kocky  Mountains, 

With  summits  white  and  cold; 
From  California's  fountains, 

That  pour  down  virgin  gold; 
From  every  western  prairie, 

From  every  mystic  mound, 
They  call  on  us  to  carry 

The  gospel's  joyful  sound. 

Oh!  shall  we  close  our  bosoms, 

While  every  breath  's  a  cry  ? 
While  brothers  drop  like  blossoms, 

And  there  forever  die  ? 
Oh  I  Christian,  rest  not,  sleep  not, 

But  pray  and  toil  and  fight, 
Till  those  who  're  weeping,  weep  not, 

And  darkness  turns  to  light. 

Then,  when  enthroned  in  glor}^ 

With  Jesus'  ransomed  fold. 
We  tell  Love's  wondrous  story. 

Upon  our  harps  of  gold, 
Each  effort  that  we  're  making 

Will  sweeten  heaven's  employ, 
And  every  cross  we  're  taking. 

Add  rapture  to  its  joy. 


JOHN  NEWTON  BROWN. 

1803-1868. 

Rev.  John"  Newton  Brown,  d.d.,  is  now  best 
known  in  connection  with  the  New  Hampshire  Decla- 
ration of  Faith,  which  has  been  very  extensively 
adopted  by  Baptist  churches  in  different  parts  of  the 
country.     Dr.  Brown  was  chairman  of  the  committee 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  299 

which  presented  the  Declaration,  and  performed  valu- 
able  service  in  its  preparation.     He  was  born  in  New 
London,  Conn.,  June  29,  1803.     When  fourteen  years 
of  age  he  was  baptized  at  Hudson,  N.  Y.     Having  had 
his  thoughts  turned  toward  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
he  entered    Hamilton   Theological  Seminary,  and  was 
graduated   in    1823.     He  was  ordained  at  Buffalo,  in 
1S2A.     A  year  later  he  removed  to  Providence,  R.  I., 
to  assist   Rev.    Dr.   Gano,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
church.     In   1827,  he   became   pastor  of  the   Baptist 
church  in  Maiden,  Mass.     In  1829,  he  removed  to  Ex- 
eter, N.  H.,  where   he   had  accepted  the  pastorate  of 
the  Baptist    church.     In    1838,  he    became    associate 
professor    of  theology  and  pastoral    relations   in    the 
New   Hampton   Literary  and   Theological  Institution, 
at  New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  and  discharged  the  duties  of 
this  position  until  1845,  when  he  became  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  church   in   Lexington,  Va.     On   account  of  ill 
health  he  was  compelled  to  withdraw  from  the  pastor- 
ate in  1849,  and  he  then  became  connected  with  the 
American  Baptist  Publication  Society  as  editorial  sec- 
retary.    He  was  also  editor  of  ''The  Christian  Chron- 
icle" and  "The   National  Baptist."     During   his  resi- 
dence   at    Exeter   he    edited    his    "Encyclopaedia    of 
Religious  Knowledge,"  which  was   published   in  Brat- 
tleborough,  in  1835,  and  republished  in  England.     He 
published  also  "Introduction  to  the  History  of  Baptist 
Martyrs,"  "Life  and  Times  of  Simon  Menno"  (1853), 
"History  of  the   Baptist  Publication  Society"  (1856), 
"  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  the  American  Baptist  Pub- 
lication Society"  (1861).     At  the  time  of  his  death  he 
was  engaged  in  the   preparation  of  a  history  of  the 
Baptists.     He  died  at  Germantown,  Penn.,  May  14, 
1868. 

In   Freeman's   "Selection   of  Hymns"    (1829),  Dr 
Brown  has  five  hymns : 

"  UMo  him,  unto  him  who  is  able  to  keep," 
"  "Welcome,  welcome,  dearest  brothers," 


300  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"  Friends  for  whom  a  Savior  died," 

"  Have  we  all  here  met  again  ?  " 

"  My  friends,  the  parting  hour  is  come." 

There  are  also  three  hymns  by  Dr.  Brown  in  Phin- 
eas  Stowe's  "Ocean  Melodies": 

"  Come  sinner!  at  our  Lord's  command," 
"  And  wilt  thou  stoop.  Great  God,  so  low," 
"  O  Thou!  the  high  and  lofty  One." 

The   following   hymn   by   Dr.    Brown  is  found   in 
"The  Psalmist"  and  other  collections: 

Go,  spirit  of  the  sainted  dead. 

Go  to  thy  longed-for,  happy  homej 
The  tears  of  man  are  o'er  thee  shed; 

The  voice  of  angels  bids  thee  come. 

If  life  be  not  in  length  of  days, 

In  silvered  locks  and  furrowed  brow, 
But  living  to  the  Savior's  praise, 

How  few  have  lived  so  long  as  thou! 

Though  earth  may  boast  one  gem  the  less, 

May  not  e'en  heaven  the  richer  be? 
And  myriads  on  thy  footsteps  press, 

To  share  thy  blest  eternity . 


JOHN  M.  HEWES. 

1803-1883. 

A  descendant  of  one  of  the  actors  in  the  Boston 
Tea  Party,  Mr.  Hewes,  was  born  in  Franklin,  Mass., 
July  5,  1803.  In  early  life  he  was  apprenticed  to  a 
printer  in  Boston.  Here,  at  length,  he  established  a 
printino"  house  of  his  own,  and  in  this  calling  he  re- 
mained until  the  close  of  his  long  business  career. 
B-s  became  a  Christian  in  1840,  and  united  with  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  '  301 

Dudley  Baptist  church,  Roxbury,  of  which  Rev.  T.  F. 
Caldicott,  D.D.,  was  then  pastor.  With  the  exception 
of  a  few  years  in  which  his  membership  was  with  the 
Tremont  Baptist  church,  he  remained  a  member  of 
tlie  church  into  whose  fellowship  he  was  first  received, 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Boston,  November 
17,  1883.  His  pastor  for  many  years,  Rev.  Henry  M. 
King,  D.D.,  says  of  Mr.  Hew^es: 

"  During  all  the  years  since  his  conversion  he  pre- 
sented a  blameless  life  and  a  warm  interest  in  the 
church,  its  worship,  its  activities,  and  its  prosperity. 
He  was  strong  in  his  opposition  to  wrong  and  oppres- 
sion, and  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  antislavery  move- 
ment. He  was  cleo-r  and  intelligent  in  his  apprehen- 
sion of  Christian  doctrine,  and  loved  the  great  truths 
of  the  Gospel  with  an  increasing  affection.  He  was 
very  tender  in  his  personal  attachments,  and  deeply 
sympathetic  in  his  nature,  setting  a  high  value  on  the 
friendships  of  life,  and  living  for  those  whom  he  loved. 
His  love  for  the  Savior  made  melody  in  his  heart,  and 
he  was  able  to  express  it  in  beautiful  hymns  of  his 
own  composition.  His  interest  in  Christian  poetry 
amounted  to  a  beautiful  passion,  and  he  always  carried 
about  with  him  copies  of  brief  poems  that  had  won 
his  heart." 

Two  of  Mr.  Hewes'  hymns  are  in  "  The  Christian 
Melodist "  (1848),  compiled  by  Rev.  J.  Banvard,  d.d., 
one  commencing 

Holy  Lord,  lend  now  thine  ear  (459), 

and  the  following  (482) : 

Dear  Savior,  hear  our  prayer,  — 

We  bow  before  thy  throne; 
O  may  we  find  acceptance  there, 

And  peace  before  unknown. 

Dear  Savior,  hear  our  prayer,  — 

O  turn  not  thou  away; 
For  in  temptation's  fearful  hour 

Thou  art  our  only  stay. 


302  •  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Dear  Savior,  hear  our  prayer, — 
No  other  power  but  thine 

Can  fill  our  souls  with  heavenly  joy, 
"With  rays  of  light  divine. 

Dear  Savior,  hear  our  prayer, — 
On  thee  alone  we  call; 

O  keep  our  feet  in  wisdom's  way, 
That  we  may  never  fall. 


SARAH  B.  JUDSON. 

1803-1845.  . 

In  Urwick's  Selection,  Dublin,  1829,  appeared  a  fine 
hymn  of  four  stanzas,  without  the  author's  name, 
commencing 

Proclaim  the  lofty  praise 

Of  him  who  once  was  slain, 
But  now  is  risen,  through  endless  days 

To  live  and  reign. 
He  lives  and  reigns  on  high, 

Who  bought  us  with  his  blood, 
Enthroned  above  the  farthest  sky, 

Our  Savior,  God. 

This  hymn  was  transferred  to  "The  Psalmist"  (1843), 
ascribed  to  Urwick's  Collection.  By  Dr.  Hatfield, 
the  well  known  hymnologist  ("Poets  of  the  Church," 
p.  713),  this  hymn  is  ascribed  to  Mrs.  Sarah  B.  Jud- 
son,  but  on  what  grounds  I  am  not  informed. 

Sarah  Boardman  Judson,  the  second  wife  of  Adoni- 
ram  Judson,  and  the  eldest  daughter  of  Ralph  and 
Abiah  Hall,  was  born  in  Alstead,  N.  H.,  November  4, 
1803.  Her  parents  subsequently  removed  to  Dan- 
vers,  Mass.,  and  then  to  Salem,  Mass.,  wdiere,  in  her 
seventeenth  year,  she  became  a  member  of  the  First 


AKD  THEIR  HYMN'S.  803 

Baptist  church,  of  which  Dr.  Lucius  Bolles  was  pastor. 
The  work  of  Christian  missions  was  prominent  in  the 
thoughts  of  the  members  of  that  church.  Dr.  Bolles, 
as  early  as  1812,  had  organized  in  Salem  a  society  to 
aid  Dr.  Carey  in  translating  and  publishing  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  the  young  convert  was  impressed  with  a 
desire  to  follow  Judson  and  his  associates,  who,  a  few 
years  before,  had  sailed  from  Salem  to  engage  in  mis- 
sionary work  on  heathen  shores.  The  way  was  at 
length  opened;  and  as  the  wife  of  George  Dana 
Boardman,  to  whom  she  was  married  July  4,  1825, 
she  embarked  July  19,  following,  for  Calcutta,  where 
they  arrived  December  13.  Here,  on  account  of  the 
Burmese  war,  they  were  obliged  to  remain  until 
March,  1827.  They  then  proceeded  to  Amherst, 
shortly  after  to  Maulmain,  and  later  to  Tavoy.  Mean- 
while three  children  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  only 
one,  George  Dana,  survived  the  perils  of  infancy. 
Mr.  Boardman  died  at  Tavoy,  February  11,  1831. 
"When  I  first  stood  by  the  grave  of  my  husband," 
wrote  Mrs.  Boardman,  "I  thought  I  must  go  home 
with  George.  But  these  poor,  inquiring  and  Chris- 
tian Karens,  and  the  school  boys,  and  the  Burmese 
Christians,  would  then  be  left  without  any  one  to 
instruct  them;  and  the  poor,  stupid  Tavoyans  would 
go  on  in  the  road  to  death,  with  no  one  to  warn  them 
of  their  danger.  How  then,  oh,  how  can  I  go?  We 
shall  not  be  separated  long.  A  few  more  years,  and 
we  shall  all  meet  in  yonder  blissful  world,  whither 
those  we  love  have  gone  before  us." 

April  10,  1834,  Mrs.  Boardman  was  married  to  Dr. 
Judson,  whose  heroic  wife,  Ann  H.  Judson,  was  laid 
to  rest  beneath  the  hopia  tree  at  Amherst,  eight  years 
before.  For  eleven  years  Dr.  Judson  and  Sarah 
Boardman  toiled  together,  and  then,  her  health  hav- 
ing failed,  with  her  husband  and  their  elder  children, 
she  embarked  for  London,  April  26,  1845.  During 
the  first  part  of  the  voyage  the  weather  was  rough, 


804  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

and  the  vessel,  having  sprung  a  leak,  put  in  to  the 
Isle  of  France  for  repairs.  Mrs.  Judson  had  improved 
so  much  it  was  thought  that  she  would  be  able  to 
continue  the  voyage  with  her  children,  leaving  her 
husband  to  return  to  his  work  in  Burma ;  and  it  was 
under  these  circumstances  that  she  wrote  the  follow- 
ing memorable  lines : 

We  part  on  this  green  islet,  love, 

Thou  for  the  eastern  main, 
I  for  the  setting  sun,  love, 

O,  when  to  meet  again  1 

My  heart  is  sad  for  thee,  love, 

For  lone  thy  way  will  be ; 
And  oft  thy  tears  will  fall,  love, 

For  thy  children  and  for  me. 

The  music  of  thy  daughter's  voice 

Thou  'It  miss  for  many  a  year; 
And  the  merry  shout  of  thine  elder  boys 

Thou  'It  list  in  vain  to  hear. 

When  we  knelt  to  see  our  Henry  die, 

And  heard  his  last,  faint  moan. 
Each  wiped  the  tear  from  others'  eye; 

Now  each  must  weep  alone. 

My  tears  fall  fast  for  thee,  love; 

How  can  I  say.  Farewell  I 
But  go;  thy  God  be  with  thee,  love, 

Thy  heart's  deep  grief  to  quell. 

Yet  ray  spirit  clings  to  thine,  love; 

Thy  soul  remains  with  me. 
And  oft  we  '11  hold  communion  sweet 

O'er  the  dark  and  distant  sea. 

And  who  can  paint  our  mutual  joy, 

When,  all  our  wanderings  o'er. 
We  both  shall  clasp  our  infants  three 

At  home,  on  Burma's  shiorel 

But  higher  shall  our  raptures  glow. 

On  yon  celestial  plain. 
When  the  loved  and  parted  here  below 

Meet,  ne'er  to  part  again. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  305 

Then  gird  thine  armor  on,  love; 

?^or  faint  thou  by  the  way, 
Till  Buddh  shall  fall,  and  Burma's  sons 

Shall  own  Messiah's  sway. 

But  the  parting  was  not  to  take  place.  A  relapse 
followed,  and  July  25,  Dr.  Judson  embarked  with  his 
family  on  the  ship  Sophia  Walker,  which  was  to  sail 
direct  for  the  United  States.  Mrs  Judson  again 
seemed  to  be  recovering,  but  there  came  another  re- 
lapse, and  she  died  on  shipboard,  in  the  harbor  of  St. 
Helena,  September  1,  1845,  in  the  forty-second  year 
of  her  age,  and  the  twenty-first  of  her  missionary  life. 
She  was  buried  on  the  island.  Dr.  Judson  says  :  "  In 
the  course  of  the  day  a  coffin  was  procured  from  the 
shore,  in  which  I  placed  all  that  remained  of  her 
whom  I  had  so  much  loved,  and  after  a  prayer  had 
been  offered  by  a  dear  brother  minister  from  the  town, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Bertram,  we  proceeded  in  boats  to  the 
shore.  There  we  were  met  by  the  colonial  chaplain, 
and  accompanied  to  the  burial  ground  by  the  adher- 
ents and  friends  of  Mr.  Bertram,  and  a  large  concourse 
of  the  inhabitants.  They  had  prepared  the  grave  in 
a  beautiful  shady  spot,  contiguous  to  the  grave  of  Mrs. 
Chater,  a  missionary  from  Ceylon,  who  had  died  in 
similar  circumstances  on  her  passage  home.  There  I 
saw  her  safely  deposited,  and  in  the  language  of 
prayer,  which  we  had  often  presented  together  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  I  blessed  God  that  her  body  had  at- 
tained the  repose  of  the  grave,  and  her  spirit  the 
repose  of  Paradise." 

Mrs.  Judson  early  evinced  skill  in  poetical  composi- 
tion. Among  other  productions  written  when  she  was 
thirteen  years  of  age  is  a  "  Versification  of  David's 
Lament  over  Saul  and  Jonathan,"  commencino- 


'o 


The  beauty  of  Israel  forever  is  fled, 
And  low  lie  the  noble  and  strong; 

Ye  daughters  of  music  encircle  the  dead, 
And  chant  the  funeral  sons;. 
20  ^ 


306  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

These  early  lines  were  amended  by  the  cultivated 
taste  of  later  years,  and  in  their  altered  dress  appear 
in  Mrs.  Judson's  "  Life."  A  later  poem,  entitled 
"  Come  Over  and  Help  Us,"  and  written  after  she  had 
become  interested  in  Christian  missions,  voices  a  plea 
from  the  heathen  world,  of  which  the  following  is  the 
first  stanza, 

Ye,  on  whom  the  glorious  Gospel 

Shiues  with  beams  sereuely  bright, 
Pity  the  deluded  nations , 

"Wrapped  in  shades  of  dismal  night; 
Ye,  whose  bosoms  glow  with  rapture 

At  the  precious  hopes  they  bear; 
Ye,  who  know  a  Savior's  mercy. 

Listen  to  our  earnest  prayer! 

She  was  deeply  affected  by  the  death  of  Colman, 
and  wrote  the  "  Lines  "  commencing 

'T  is  the  voice  of  deep  sorrow  from  India's  shore; 

The  flower  of  our  churches  is  withered,  is  dead; 
The  gem  that  shone  brightly  will  sparkle  no  more, 

And  the  tears  of  the  Christian  profusely  are  shed. 
Two  youths  of  Columbia,  with  hearts  glowing  warm, 

Embarked  on  the  billows  far  distant  to  rove, 
To  bear  to  the  nations  all  wrapped  in  thick  gloom, 

The  lamp  of  the  Gospel  —  the  message  of  love. 
But  "Wheelock  now  slumbers  beneath  the  cold  wave. 
And  Colman  lies  low  in  the  dark,  cheerless  grave. 

Moui-n,  daughters  of  India,  mourn! 
The  rays  of  that  star,  clear  and  bright, 

That  so  sweetly  on  Arracan  shone 
Are  shrouded  in  black  clouds  of  night, 
For  Colman  is  gone! 

These  "  Lines,"  which  found  their  way  into  print, 
fell  under  the  eye  of  George  Dana  Boardman,  and  in 
this  way  an  acquaintanceship  was  formed,  that  rip- 
ened into  marriage.  During  her  missionary  life,  Mrs. 
Judson  found  little  time  for  poetical  composition,  but 
her  occasional  contributions  to  our  poetical  literature 
bear  witness  to  the  rare  quality  of  the  gift  which 
she  possessed. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  307 

LEVI  KNEELAND. 

1803-1834. 

Rev.  Levi  Kneeland  was  a  native  of  Masonville, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  born  November  7,  1803.  Converted 
at  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  united  with  the  Baptist  church 
in  Masonville,  and  when  twenty  years  of  age  he  was 
licensed  to  preach.  In  1824,  he  entered  Hamilton 
Literary  and  Theological  Institution,  where  he  re- 
mained four  years.  Having  been  called  to  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  Baptist  church  in  Packer ville.  Conn.,  he 
was  ordained  in  that  place,  October  8,  1828.  Earnest, 
devout,  wholly  consecrated  to  his  work,  he  labored 
for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  during  the  six  years  of 
his  ministry,  he  baptized  more  than  three  hundred  con- 
verts. Greatly  lamented,  he  died  at  Packerville, 
August  23,  1834,  aged  thirty-one  years. 

In  "Select  Hymns"  (Hartford,  1836)  is  the  follow- 
ing hymn  by  Mr.  Kneeland : 

Christian  worship  —  how  inviting 

Is  tlie  social  praying  band! 
Happy  concert  thrice  deliglitin<^, 

Bound  to  Canaan's  holy  laud. 

See  how  joyful  they  assemble 

At  the  consecrated  hourl 
How  they  heaven's  host  resemble 

While  they  God  Most  High  adore! 

See  them  in  sweet  concert  moving, 

Each  their  humble  part  fulfil! 
Bound  to  love,  each  other  loving, 

Thus  they  do  the  Savior's  will. 

Now  they  bow  in  adoration 

Low  before  Jehovah's  throne, 
Giving  honor  and  salvation 

To  the  High  and  Holy  One. 


3U8  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

N'ow  they  rise  in  hymns  symphonious  ■ 
All  as  one  their  spirits  rise ; 

Sweep  the  golden  harps  harmonious 
Strung  by  seraphs  in  the  skies. 

Now  they  pour  out  fervent  prayer  — 
Plead  the  all-atoning  blood; 

Father,  Son  and  Spirit  thei'e ; 
'T  is  in  truth  the  house  of  God. 


GEORGE  B.  IDE. 

1804-1872. 

Rev.  George  Barto]!^"  Ide,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Cov- 
entry, Vt.,  February  17,  1804.  His  father,  Rev.  John 
Ide,  was  a  well  known  Baptist  minister,  who  early  dis- 
covered the  promise  of  his  son,  and  aided  him  in  se- 
curing a  good  academic  and  collegiate  education.  He 
was  converted  in  1824.  In  1827,  he  entered  Middle- 
bury  College  with  advanced  standing,  and  was  gradu- 
ated in  1830.  During  his  college  course  he  received 
a  license  to  preach,  and  supplied  churches  in  Corn- 
wall, Cambridge,  Newport,  etc.  For  awhile  after  his 
graduation,  he  labored  as  an  evangelist  in  northern 
Vermont,  e&pecially  in  Derby,  Newport,  and  Passump- 
sic.  In  November,  1832,  he  became  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Brandon,  Vt.  September  1,  1834, 
he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist church  in  Albany,  N.  Y.  Here  he  remained  a  lit- 
tle more  than  a  year  only,  and  then  resigned  to  be- 
come pastor  of  the  Federal  Street  Baptist  church 
(now  Clarendon  Street),  Boston.  After  a  pastorate  of 
a  little  more  than  two  years,  he  accepted,  in  April, 
1838,  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist 
church,  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  nearly  fif- 
teen years.      December   5,    1852,   he   was  called  to 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  309 

Springfield,  Mass.,  where  he  was  the  beloved  pastor  of 
the  First  Baptist  church,  until  his  death.     During  this 
period  of  nearly  twenty  years,   he  received  calls  to 
other  prominent  pulpits,  but  these  were  declined ;  and 
such  was  his  influence  in  Springfield,  and  throughout 
western  Massachusetts,  that  it  is  doubtful  if  elsewhere 
he  could  have    occupied    so   commanding  a  position. 
He  died  in  Springfield,  of  heart  disease,  April  16,  1872. 
Dr.  Ide  was  a  vigorous  and  eloquent  preacher,  and 
from   the    beginning   of    his   career   large    audiences 
waited  upon  his  ministry.     A  good  illustration  of  his 
glowing  style  is  afforded  by  his  volume  of  discourses, 
entitled  ^' Bible  Pictures."     Another  volume,  entitled 
"Battle   Echoes,"  is  a  collection  of  sermons  preached 
during  the  stirring  events  of  the  civil  war.     Dr.  Ide 
was  also  the  author  of  "Green  Hollow,"  a  Sunday- 
school  story,  which  had  a  wide  circulation.     In  "  The 
Baptist  Harp,"  a  collection  of  hymns  for  family  and 
social  worship,  which  was  published  by  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society  in  1849,  are  nine  hymns, 
written  by  Dr.  Ide,  viz. : 

"  O  when  the  tear  is  gushiag," 

"  Parched  by  the  noontide  lieat," 

"  They  all  have  met  in  heaven  at  last," 

"Lord,  we  early  come  to  meet  thee," 

^' To  the  ark  away!  or  perish," 

"Prostrate  at  Jesus'  feet,  behold," 

"  Son  of  God,  our  glorious  Head," 

"  Through  many  climes,  o'er  many  lands," 

and  the  following : 

In  life's  joyous  morning,  while  hope  still  is  bright. 
And  all  thy  green  pathway  is  beaming  with  light, 
O  come  to  the  Savior,  his  mercy  embrace. 
And  sweetly  surrender  thy  heart  to  his  grace. 


310  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Soon  cares  and  temptations  thy  steps  will  attend, 
And  sorrow's  rude  tempest  may  on  thee  descend, 
What  arm  can  sustain  thee,  what  wisdom  can  guide, 
If  Christ,  the  Deliverer,  be  not  at  thy  side  ? 

His  love,  if  thou  seek  him,  will  gird  thee  with  power, 
In  manhood's  stern  conflicts,  and  trial's  dark  hour, 
With  rich  consolations  thy  anguish  assuage, 
When  stung  by  affliction,  or  sinking  with  age. 

The  peace  speaking  blood,  which  for  sinners  he  spilt, 
Will  shield  thee  in  judgment,  and  cleanse  thee  from  guilt, 
His  hand  shall  defend  thee  from  all  earthly  foes. 
And  bring  thee  triumphant  to  heaven's  repose. 

Then  fly  to  his  bosom,  and  in  it  find  rest 
From  all  that  can  torture  thy  frail,  mortal  breast; 
No  storm  there  can  reach  thee,  no  danger  assail, 
His  might  is  resistless,  his  truth  cannot  fail. 

Some  of  these  hymns  have  been  transferred  to  other 
collections.  In  "  Hymns  for  Social  Meetings,"  com- 
piled by  Rev.  A.  D.  Gillette,  d.d.,  is  a  hymn  (107)  by 
Dr.  Ide,  commencing 

Why  fix  thy  love  on  shadows  ?    Why 
Seek  for  repose  where  all  must  die  ? 


THOMAS  U.  WALTER. 

1804-1887. 

Dr.  Thomas  U.  Walter,  an  eminent  American 
architect,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  September 
4,  1804.  His  taste  for  architecture  was  early  evinced, 
and  he  pursued  an  elaborate  course  of  instruction,  in 
order  thoroughly  to  fit  himself  for  the  profession  in 
which  he  achieved  so  much  distinction.  He  entered 
upon  his  life  work  in  his  native  city.  In  1831,  his 
plans  for  the  Philadelphia  county  buildings  were  ac- 
cepted, and  two   years   later,   his   design   for   Girard 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  311 

College.  This  substantial  structure,  which  was  four- 
teen years  in  building,  is  not  only  a  monument  to  the 
generous  founder  of  the  college,  but  also  to  the  archi- 
tectural skill  of  Dr.  Walter.  The  latter' s  greatest 
work,  however,  was  in  connection  with  the  extension 
of  the  Capitol  at  Washington.  In  1851,  he  submitted 
plans  for  the  new  structure,  wdtli  its  magnificent  dome. 
The  plans,  were  accepted,  and  Dr.  Walter  was  ap- 
pointed by  President  Fillmore  to  take  charge  of  the 
work.  He  also  designed  the  east  and  west  wino-s  of 
the  Patent  Office,  the  extension  of  the  building  occu- 
pied by  the  Post-office  Department,  the  new  Treasury 
Building,  and  several  government  buildings  in  other 
places.  He  was  also  the  architect  of  the  old  Chapel 
at  Waterville  College,  now  Colby  University.  In 
1849,  Madison  University  conferred  upon  Mr.  Walter 
the  honorary  degree  of  master  of  arts.  In  1855,  Buck- 
nell  University  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of 
doctor  of  philosophy,  and  in  1857,  Harvard  University 
conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws. 

In  1829,  Dr.  Walter  became  a  member  of  the  Spruce 
Street  Baptist  church,  Philadelphia,  and  for  many 
years  he  was  clerk  of  the  church,  and  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday-school.  On  removing  to  Washington, 
he  united  with  the  E  Street  Baptist  church.  After  his 
return  to  Philadelphia  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Second  Germantown  Baptist  church,  of  which  subse- 
quently he  was  made  a  deacon.  Later,  he  united  ^\'ith 
the  Memorial  Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia.  Of  this 
church  also  he  was  made  a  deacon. 

In  the  "Baptist  Harp,"  published  by  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society,  in  1849,  is  the  following 
hymn  (414)  by  Dr.  Walter,  entitled  "  Go  to  Jesus." 

Desponding  soul,  O  cease  thy  wo; 
Dry  lip  thy  tears,  to  Jesus  go, 

In  faith's  appointed  way. 
Let  not  thy  unbelieving  fears 
Still  hold  thee  back  —  thy  Savior  hears  — 

From  him  no  longer  stay. 


312  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

No  works  of  thine  can  e'er  impart 
A  balm  to  heal  thy  wounded  heart, 

Or  solid  comfort  give ; 
Turn,  then,  to  him  who  freely  gave 
His  precious  blood  thy  soul  to  save; 

E'en  now  he  bids  thee  live. 

Helpless  and  lost,  to  Jesus  fly! 
His  power  and  love  are  ever  nigh 

To  those  who  seek  his  face; 
Thy  deepest  guilt  on  him  was  laid, 
He  bore  thy  sins,  thy  ransom  paid; 

O  haste  to  share  his  grace. 

Dr.  Walter  died  in  Philadelphia,  October  30,  1887. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  president  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Architects. 


STEPHEN  P.  HILL. 

1806-1884. 

Rev.  Stephen  P.  Hill  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass., 
April  17,  1806.  His  parents  were  Unitarians,  and  he 
received  his  early  training  under  Unitarian  influences; 
but  a  sermon  preached  by  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton,  of 
Newton,  which  he  heard  when  fourteen  years  of  age, 
led  to  his  conversion,  and  he  was  baptized  in  June, 
1821,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Lucius  Bolles,  pastor  of  the  First 
Baptist  church  in  Salem.  Two  years  later  he  began 
to  preach,  and  that  he  might  fit  himself  for  the  work 
of  the  Christian  ministry,  he  entered  Waterville  Col- 
lege in  1825.  Here  he  remained  two  years,  and  then 
became  a  student  in  Brown  University,  where  he  was 
graduated  in  1829.  His  theological  course  he  took  at 
Newton,  graduating  in  1832.  Having  received  a  call 
to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Haver- 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  313 

hill,  Mass.,  lie  was  ordained  in  Haverhill,  October  2, 
1832.  On  account  of  a  pulmonary  complaint,  he  was 
compelled,  in  the  winter  of  1833-4,  to  withdraw  to  a 
milder  climate.  During  this  time  he  supplied  the  pul- 
pit of  the  Baptist  church  in  Georgetown,  S.  C.  He 
then  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist church  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  where  he  remained 
seventeen  years,  and  was  instrumental  in  greatly 
strengthening  the  church.  He  then  removed  to 
Washington,  D.  C,  and  became  pastor  of  the  First 
Baptist  church,  where  also  his  labors  were  crowned 
with  success.  Closing  his  Washington  pastorate  in 
1861,  he  continued  his  residence  there,  and  supplied 
feeble  churches  in  and  around  the  city,  interesting 
himself  especially  in  the  welfare  of  the  colored 
churches.  He  died  in  Washington,  September  15, 
1884. 

Dr.  Hill  was  the  author  of  several  prize  mono- 
graphs. In  1839,  he  delivered  before  the  literary 
societies  of  Brown  University  a  poem  entitled  "The 
Unlimited  Progression  of  Mind."  The  same  year  he 
delivered  a  poem  on  "The  Triumphs  of  the  Gospel," 
before  the  Knowles  Rhetorical  Society  of  Newton 
Theological  Institution.  In  1859,  he  delivered  a 
poem  on  "The  Problems  of  Truth,"  before  the  liter- 
ary societies  of  Madison  University.  He  was  the 
author,  also,  of  a  number  of  minor  poems  published 
in  newspapers  and  periodicals.  Much  attention  he 
gave  to  hymnology  In  1836,  during  his  Baltimore 
pastorate,  he  compiled  a  hymn  book  entitled  "  Chris- 
tian Melodies,"  a  collection  of  six  hundred  and  fifty- 
five  hymns,  of  which  twenty-six  were  written  by  him- 
self.    Hymn  820  in  "  The  Psalmist," 

Come,  saints,  adore  j'our  Savior,  God, 

is  a  part  of  hymn  322  in  this  collection,  commencing 

Great  Kin.sr  of  kintjs  and  Lord  of  lords. 


314  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

The  following  hymn  by  Dr.  Hill,  entitled  "  Grati- 
tude at  the  Cross,"  is  taken  from  the  "  Christian 
Melodies." 

My  soul!  the  Lord  adore, 

Thy  dear  Redeemer  love, 
Before  his  cross,  thy  sorrows  pour, 

And  fix  thy  hopes  above. 

My  soul!  the  Lord  adore, 

Thy  suffering  Savior  see; 
Remember  all  the  griefs  he  bore, 

And  bore  from  love  to  thee. 

In  childhood's  early  morn 

He  was  thy  faithful  friend; 
He  loved  thee  when  a  wretch  forlorn, 

And  loves  thee  to  the  end. 

Terrors  hung  o'er  thy  path, 

Deep  gloom  was  round  thee  thrown; 

"When  to  redeem  thy  life  from  wrath, 
He  freely  gave  his  own. 

Oh!  the  sharp  piercing  smart! 

When  long  death's  arrows  stood, 
And  quivering  in  his  sacred  heart, 

They  drank  his  richest  blood. 

Oh  I  miracle  of  love! 

That  such  a  life  as  mine 
Should  by  that  death  be  raised  to  prove 

Enjoyments  so  divine. 

Dear  Savior!  on  thy  breast 

My  tears  shall  ever  roll ; 
And  thou,  with  gratitude  imprest, 

Still  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul! 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  315 

CAROLINE  T.  DAYTON. 

1806-1879. 

Mrs.  Dayton,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Lydia 
Erving,  was  born  in  Concord,  Mass.,  August  5,  1806. 
Her  father  removed  to  Hartford,  Conn.,  when  she  was 
but  a  child,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  brief  residence 
in  Worcester,  Mass.,  Hartford  continued  to  be  her 
home  until  her  death.  For  many  years  her  member- 
ship was  with  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Hartford, 
but  subsequently  she  became  a  member  of  the  South 
Baptist  church.  She  was  an  earnest,  sincere  Christian, 
and  her  life  was  one  of  sacrifice,  toil  and  devotion. 
Almost  her  last  words  were,  "  I  trust  in  my  Savior." 
She  died  in  Hartford,  May  30,  1879,  after  a  long  and 
painful  illness. 

Two  hymns,  written  by  Mrs.  Dayton  before  her 
marriage, 

"  Send,  O  send,  the  glorious  Gospel," 
"  This  is  thine  earthly  temple,  Lord," 

are  found  in  "  Select  Hymns  "  (Hartford,  1836).  She 
was  also  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  Christian  Sec- 
retary, Watchman  and  Reflector,  New  York  Recorder, 
and  other  religious  journals.  The  following  hymn, 
written  by  Mrs.  Dayton  in  1840,  and  entitled  "Faint, 
yet  Pursuing,"  was  first  published  in  the  Christian 
Secretary : 

Look  above  —  the  skies  are  clearing 

Higher  up  the  Christian  way, 
And  the  promised  land  is  nearer, 

And  the  peace  of  heavenly  day. 
Darkest  clouds  may  gather  o'er  thee, 

Angry  waves  and  billows  roll. 
Still  a  light  will  shine  before  thee, 

To  illume  thy  trusting  soul. 

Look  away  from  earthly  pleasures, 

To  those  streams  that  never  dry, 
Look  above  to  heavenly  treasures, 

Up  to  mansions  in  the  sky. 


316  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Earth's  false  treasures  will  deceive  you, 
All  her  tempting  charms  decay, 

Her  polluted  streams  will  grieve  you, 
And  her  friendship  flee  away. 

Look  above,  when  snares  beset  thee. 

And  when  dangers  thick  abound, 
There  is  one  who  '11  ne'er  forget  thee. 

Who  the  friend  of  sinners  found. 
Higher  up,  the  fields  are  vernal, 

Blooming  on  in  heavenly  love, 
Joys  immortal  and  eternal 

Near  the  paradise  above. 

Look  above  when  sorrows  pain  thee, 

In  affiiction's  darkest  way, 
There  is  one  who  can  sustain  thee. 

Give  thee  strength  unto  thy  day. 
Higher  up,  the  clouds  are  parted, 

And  the  joyous  sun  appears, 
Balm  to  heal  the  broken-hearted. 

And  a  hand  to  wipe  thy  tears. 

When  some  silken  cord  is  broken, 

When  thy  dearest  comforts  die, 
Look  above,  some  cheering  token 

Beams  upon  thee  from  on  high; 
Higher  up,  the  way  of  glory. 

Up  the  steep  of  Zion's  hill 
Bethlehem's  star  will  go  before  thee, 

And  thy  soul  shall  fear  no  ill. 

Christian,  faint  not,  ne'er  grow  weary, 

Still  pursue  the  narrow  way; 
Though  it  oft  be  rugged  —  dreary. 

It  will  end  in  blessed  day. 
Look  above,  to  crowns  of  brightness, 

Heavenly  mansions  for  the  blest, 
Spotless  robes  of  pearly  whiteness, 

To  the  faithful  pilgrim's  rest. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  317 

JOHN   BOWLING. 

1807-1878. 

Pavensey,  Sussex,  England,  was  the  early  home  of 
Dr.  Dowling,  and  here  he  was  born.  May  12,  1807. 
Having  removed  to  London,  he  united  with  the  Eagle 
Street  Baptist  church,  when  he  was  seventeen  years  of 
age.  From  childhood,  he  had  evinced  a  great  fond- 
ness for  books,  and  so  rapid  was  his  advancement  in 
his  studies,  that,  when  nineteen  years  old  he  received 
an  appointment  as  tutor  in  the  Latin  language  and  ht- 
erature  at  a  classical  institute  in  London.  Two  years 
later  he  became  instructor  in  Hebrew,  Greek,  Latin 
and  French  in  the  Buckinghamshire  Classical  Insti- 
tute. At  length,  in  1829,  he  established  a  classical 
boarding-school  in  Oxfordshire,  near  Oxford,  which  he 
continued  until  1832,  when,  with  his  family,  he  turned 
his  face  toward  the  new  world.  It  was  his  purpose  in 
coming  to  the  United  States  to  engage  in  the  work  of 
the  Christian  ministry,  and  November  14,  1832,  he 
was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Catskill, 
N.  Y.  In  1834,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Second  Bap- 
tist church  in  Newport,  R.  I.  Two  years  later,  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  a  church  worshiping 
in  Gothic  Masonic  Hall,  New  York.  He  was  also  for 
several  years  pastor  of  the  Broadway  church  in  Hope 
Chapel.  Then  he  went  to  Providence,  R.  L,  where  he 
was  pastor  of  the  Pine  Street  Baptist  church.  In 
1844,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Berean  Baptist  church, 
Bedford  Street,  New  York.  In  1852,  he  accepted  a 
call  to  Philadelphia,  but  returned  to  the  Berean 
church  in  1856.  His  second  pastorate  with  this 
church  continued  twelve  years.  He  subsequently  was 
pastor  of  the  South  Baptist  church  in  Newark,  N.  J., 
and  the  South  Baptist  church  in  New  York  city.  He 
received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from  Tran- 
sylvania University  in  1846.  His  death  occurred  at 
Middletown,  N.  Y.,  July  4,  1878. 


318  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Dr.  Dowling  was  a  man  of  strong  intellect  and  large 
heart,  and  his  preaching  was  in  demonstration  of  the 
Spirit,  and  of  power.  His  literary  activity  was  great. 
While  in  England  he  published  several  school  books. 
His  published  works  in  the  United  States  are  "Expo- 
sition of  the  Prophecies"  (1840),  "Defence  of  the 
Protestant  Scriptures"  (1843),  "History  of  Roman- 
ism" (1845),  "Power  of  Illustration,"  "Nights  and 
Mornings,"  "Judson  Offering,"  and  numerous  pam- 
phlets and  minor  publications.  He  also  edited  Noel's 
work  on  "Baptism,"  the  works  of  Lorenzo  Dow, 
Conyer's  "Middleton  on  the  Conformity  of  Popery 
and  Paganism,"  "Memoirs  of  the  Missionary  Jacob 
Thomes,"  and  a  translation  from  the  French  of  Dr. 
Cote's  work  on  "  Romanism." 

In  1849,  he  published  "A  New  Collection  of  Hymns, 
Designed  Especially  for  use  in  Conference  and  Prayer 
Meetings,  and  Family  Worship."  Seven  hymns  in 
the  collection  were  written  by  Dr.  Dowling  himseK, 
viz.: 

"  Come,  Lord,  dwell  in  my  bosom," 

"  The  weary  dove  in  search  of  rest," 

"  O,  my  soul  is  cast  down," 

"  A  weak  and  weary  dove,  with  drooping  wing," 

"  "Welcome,  thrice  happy  hour,  in  which," 

"  Go  to  the  mercy  seat," 

and  the  following  hymn  (46),  entitled  the  "Church's 
Welcome  to  the  Young  Convert,"  which  has  found  a 
place  in  other  collections  : 

Children  of  Zion!  what  harp-notes  are  stealing 
So  soft  o'er  our  senses,  so  soothingly  sweet  ? 

'T  is  the  music  of  angels,  their  raptures  revealing, 
That  you  have  been  brought  to  the  Holy  One's  feet. 

Children  of  Zion!  we  join  in  their  welcome, 
'T  is  sweet  to  lie  low  at  that  blessed  retreat. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  819 

Children  of  Zion!  no  longer  in  sadness 
Kef  rain  from  the  feast  that  your  Savior  hath  given ; 

Come,  taste  of  the  cup  of  salvation  with  gladness, 
And  think  of  the  banquet  still  sweeter  in  heaven. 

Children  of  Zion!  our  hearts  bid  you  welcome 
To  the  church  of  the  ransomed,  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Children  of  Zion!  we  joyfully  hail  you 

Who  've  entered  the  sheepfold  through  Jesus,  the  door; 
"While  pilgrims  on  earth,  though  the  foe  may  assail  you, 

Press  forward,  and  soon  will  the  conflict  be  o'er. 
Children  of  Zion!  O,  welcome,  thrice  welcome! 

Till  we  meet,  the  foe  shall  oppress  you  no  more. 


NATHAN  BROWN. 

1807-1886. 

This  poet-missionary,  Rev.  Nathan  Brown,  d.d.,  was 
born  in  New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  June  22,  1807.  His 
father,  Nathan  Brown,  and  his  grandfather,  Josiah 
Brown,  were  Baptist  deacons,  and  both  were  greatly 
esteemed  for  their  piety  and  usefuhiess.  Dr.  Brown 
received  reUgious  impressions  at  an  early  age,  and 
when  nine  years  old  he  was  baptized,,  and  united  with 
the  Baptist  church.  Entering  Williams  College,  he 
was  graduated  in  1827,  with  the  highest  honors  of  his 
class.  After  his  graduation,  he  was  engaged  for  a 
while  in  teaching,  and  in  1831,  he  became  editor  of 
the  Vermont  Telegraph.  But  he  had  received  a 
call  to  missionary  service,  and  after  a  short  term  of 
study  at  the  Theological  Institution  at  Newton  Cen- 
ter, Mass.,  he  was  ordained  at  Rutland,  Yt.,  August  15, 
1831;  and  December  22, 1832,  he  sailed  for  Burma,  in 
the  ship  Corvo.  After  a  long  and  stormy  passage  he 
arrived  at  Maulmain,  with  his  wife  and  child,  June  6, 
1833.  He  remained  at  Maulmain  about  two  years, 
and  then  was  appointed  to  open  a   new  mission  at 


320  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Assam.  He  commenced  liis  work  March,  1836,  at 
Sadiya,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  Assamese 
kmgdom.  In  1839,  he  removed  to  Jaipur,  and  in 
1841,  to  Sibsagor.  His  chief  work  was  the  translation 
of  the  Scriptures,  and  he  completed  the  translation  of 
the  New  Testament  in  1848.  In  1855,  worn  out  by 
his  long  labors,  "a  wreck  in  body  and  mind,"  he  re- 
turned to  the  United  States.  In  1859,  on  account  of 
a  difference  in  opinion  as  to  missionary  policy,  Dr. 
Brown,  who  had  meanwhile  recovered  his  health,  dis- 
solved his  connection  with  the  Missionary  Union.  For 
many  years  following  he  was  editor  of  the  American 
Baptist,  and  was  also  engaged  in  advocating  the 
claims  of  the  Free  Mission  Society.  In  1872,  the 
American  Baptist  Missionary  Union  voted  to  take  the 
work  of  the  Free  Mission  Society  in  Japan,  and  Dr. 
Brown  returned  to  the  service  of  the  Union,  and  was 
sent  to  the  Japanese  mission.  He  reached  Yokohama 
February  7,  1873,  and  at  once  entered  upon  his  work. 
Having  acquired  the  language,  he  commenced  the 
translation  of  the  Scriptures  into  the  Japanese  lan- 
guage, and  completed  the  New  Testament  in  1879. 
His  was  the  first  complete  New  Testament  published 
in  Japanese.  He  continued  his  work  with  untiring 
energy  and  interest,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Yoko- 
hama, January  1,  1886. 

While  in  Williams  College,  during  the  latter  part  of 
1826,  or  in  the  early  part  of  1827,  Dr.  Brown  wrote 
"The  Missionary's  Call."  After  Dr.  Brown's  death, 
Bishop  W.  L.  Harris,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  sent  to  the  Christian  Advocate  a  note,  in 
which  he  referred  to  this  poem.  "It  was  my  good 
fortune,  while  in  Japan,  in  1873,"  he  said,  "to  make 
the  acquaintance  of  this  devoted  man,  and  no  one 
received  me  more  cordially,  or  manifested  a  deeper 
interest  in  the  missionary  work  of  our  own  church 
than  did  he.  During  one  of  our  interviews,  I  accident- 
ally mentioned  a  piece  of  poetry  on  the  subject  of 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  321 

missions  which  had  often  touched  and  melted  my 
heart  as  I  read  it,  and  to  my  great  delight  I  learned 
from  him  that  he  was  its  author.  He  then  gave  me  a 
copy  of  the  poetry,  as  last  revised  by  him,  and  believ- 
ing that  others,  as  well  as  myself,  will  read  it  with  in- 
terest, I  subjoin  a  copy  for  publication."  It  is  this 
copy  that  follows : 

My  soul  is  not  at  rest.     There  comes  a  strange 

And  secret  whisper  to  my  spirit,  like 

A  dream  of  night,  that  tells  me  I  am  on 

Enchanted  ground.     Why  live  I  here  ?    The  vows 

Of  God  are  on  me,  and  I  may  not  stop 

To  i")lay  with  shadows,  or  pluck  earthly  flowers, 

Till  I  my  work  have  done,  and  rendered  up 

Account.     The  voice  of  my  departed  Lord: 

"  Go,  teach  all  nations,"  from  the  eastern  world 

Comes  on  the  night  air,  and  awakes  my  ear. 

And  I  will  go.     I  may  no  longer  doubt 

To  give  up  friends,  and  home,  and  idol  hopes, 

And  every  tender  tie  that  binds  my  heart 

To  thee,  my  country!     Why  should  I  regard 

Earth's  little  store  of  borrowed  sweets  ?    I  sure 

Have  had  enough  of  bitter  in  my  cup 

To  show  that  never  was  it  his  design. 

Who  placed  me  here,  that  I  should  live  in  ease. 

Or  drink  at  pleasure's  fountain.     Henceforth,  then, 

It  matters  not  if  storm  or  sunshine  be 

My  earthly  lot,  bitter  or  sweet  my  cup; 

I  only  pray,  God  fit  me  for  the  work; 

God  make  me  holy,  and  my  spirit  nerve 

For  the  stern  hour  of  strife.     Let  me  but  know 

There  is  an  Arm  unseen  that  holds  me  up, 

An  Eye  that  kindly  watches  all  my  path. 

Till  I  my  weary  pilgrimage  have  done; 

Let  me  but  know  I  have  a  Friend  that  waits 

To  welcome  me  to  glory,  and  I  joy 

To  tread  the  dark  and  death-fraught  wilderness. 

And  when  I  come  to  stretch  me  for  the  last, 
In  unattended  agony  beneath 
The  cocoa's  shade,  or  lift  my  dying  eyes 
From  Afric's  burning  sand,  it  will  be  sweet 
21 


322  BAPTIST  HYMN  V\^RITERS 

That  I  have  toiled  for  other  worlds  than  this. 
I  know  I  shall  feel  happier  than  to  die 
On  softer  bed.     And  if  I  should  reach  heaven  — 
If  one  that  hath  so  deeply,  darkly  sinned  — 
If  one  whom  ruin  and  revolt  have  held 
AVith  such  a  fearful  grasp  —  if  one  for  whom 
Satan  hath  struggled  as  he  hath  for  me  — 
Should  ever  reach  that  blessed  shore,  O  how 
This  heart  will  glow  with  gratitude  and  love  I 
And  through  the  ages  of  eternal  years, 
Thus  saved,  my  spirit  never  shall  repent 
That  toil  and  suffering  once  were  mine  below. 

In  an  address  at  Dr.  Brown's  funeral,  Rev.  A.  A. 
Bennett  said  that  Dr.  Brown  told  him  these  lines,  when 
first  written,  "were  sent  to  the  Missionary  Magazine 
for  insertion,  he  having  determined  to  consider  their 
acceptance  or  rejection  as  a  token  from  God  of  his 
duty  either  to  offer  himself  as  a  missionary,  or  to  re- 
frain from  so  doing."  They  were  not  accepted,  and 
so  he  engaged  in  teaching. 

In  a  slightly  altered  form  this  poem  has  appeared 
as  a  chant  in  some  hymn  books,  both  in  this  country 
and  in  England. 

During  his  residence  in  Burma,  Dr.  Brown  wrote  a 
number  of  hymns,  mostly  translations  of  well  known 
hymns  in  his  own  tongue,  such  as 

"  Guide  me,  O  thou  great  Jehovah," 
"  The  day  is  past  and  gone," 
"  Who  are  these  in  bright  array," 
"  There  is  a  happy  land." 

Rev.  Melvin  Jameson,  d.d.,  of  Bassein,  says:  "I  doubt 
if  there  will  ever  be  a  hymn  book  published  for  Bur- 
man  Christians  that  will  not  contain  several  of  Nathan 
Brown's  hymns,  wdiich  are  great  favorites  with  the 
native  Christians,  as  the  English  originals  are  with 
English-speaking  Christians."  Dr.  Brown  also  wrote 
hymns  in  the  Assamese  and  Japanese  languages. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  323 

ABRAM  D.  GILLETTE. 

1807-1882. 

Rev.  Abeam  D.  Gillette,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Cam- 
bridge, Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  September  8,  1807. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  eleven  years  of  age,  and 
a  few  months  after  he  entered  the  service  of  Major 
Calvin  Jillson,  a  tanner  in  Hartford,  who  subsequently 
removed  to  West  Granville.  While  living  here,  the 
tanner's  clerk,  thirsting  for  an  education,  availed  him- 
self of  the  advantages  of  a  very  flourishing  academy. 
In  early  life  he  had  become  interested  in  the  religion 
of  Christ,  and  when  fourteen  years  of  age  it  was  his 
purpose,  God  helping  him,  to  preach  the  Gospel.  It 
was  not  until  May,  1827,  however,  that  he  was  baptized, 
and  united  with  the  Baptist  church.  Soon  after  he 
was  appointed  teacher  of  a  village  school,  and  in  the 
following  year  his  gifts  having  been  recognized  by  the 
church  he  received  a  license  to  preach.  His  desire  for 
a  collegiate  education  led  him  to  Madison  University, 
Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  where  for  a  while  he  supported  him- 
self by  teaching.  •  But  ere  long  he  was  compelled  to 
relinquish  his  studies  on  account  of  a  disease  of  the 
eyes.  He  then  accepted  a  position  as  Bible  colporteur. 
Subsequently  he  was  invited  to  supj^ly  the  Baptist 
church  in  Schenectady.  Receiving  a  call  to  the  pas- 
torate of  this  little  flock,  he  was  ordained  September 
29,  1831.  During  the  first  year  of  his  labors  the 
membership  of  the  church  was  doubled.  Later  it 
became  necessary  to  enlarge  the  house  of  worship, 
and  when  he  left  the  church  at  the  close  of  1834,  the 
sixty  members  had  increased  to  six  hundred. 

He  now  became  pastor  of  the  Fifth  Baptist  church 
in  Philadelphia.  With  this  church  he  remained  until 
1838.  Shortly  after  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of 
the  newly  organized  Eleventh  Baptist  church  in  the 
same  city.     As  heretofore,  large  accessions  were  the 


324  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

result  of  his  earnest  labors.  With  this  church  Dr. 
Gillette  remained  until  1852,  baptizing  four  hundred 
and  eighty-eight,  and  receiving  by  letter  five  hundred 
and  seventy-two.  It  was  at  Dr.  Gillette's  house  in 
Philadelphia  that  Dr.  Judson,  during  his  visit  to  that 
city  in  1851,  met  Miss  Emily  Chubbuck  (Fanny  For- 
ester), who  afterAvard  became  his  wife. 

Dr.  Gillette  left  Philadelphia  to  take  the  pastorate 
of  the  Broadway  Baptist  church  in  New  York,  now 
the  Calvary  church.  With  this  church  he  remained, 
working  wisel}^  and  efficiently,  until  December  22, 
1863.  January  IT,  1864,  he  entered  upon  his  duties 
as  .pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Washington, 
D.  C.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  large  congregations  greeted 
him  during  his  pastorate,  which  ended  April  14,  1869. 
Impaired  health  led  to  his  resignation,  and  he  went 
abroad  to  recruit.  Returning;  to  the  United  States  in 
1870,  he  assumed  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Geth- 
semane  Baptist  church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  September. 
Later  he  served  the  Baptist  church  in  Sing  Sing.  At 
the  May  meetings  at  Saratoga  in  1880,  he  was  stricken 
with  paralysis,  and  after  a  succession  of  partial  recov- 
eries and  relapses  he  entered  into  rest  August  24,  1882. 

Few  men  in  the  denomination  have  been  more  be- 
loved than  Dr.  Gillette.  "  He  never  grew  old,"  says 
Dr.  R.  S.  Mac  Arthur.  His  genial,  kindly  manner  won 
for  him  an  entrance  to  all  hearts,  and  the  friends  he 
made  he  never  lost;  and  so,  with  many  tokens  of  the 
divine  favor,  he  fulfilled  the  ministry  which  he  had 
received  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

During  his  residence  in  Philadelphia,  Dr.  Gillette 
arranged  and  edited  the  minutes  of  the  Philadelphia 
Baptist  Association  from  its  organization  in  1707,  to 
1807,  —  a  most  valuable  contribution  to  American 
Baptist  history.  In  1843,  he  published  a  small  hymn 
book  entitled  "  Hymns  for  Social  Meetings."  Of  its 
two  hundred  and  one  hymns,  twelve  were  written  by 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  325 

Dr.  Gillette.     One  of  these  is  the  following  missionary 
hymn : 

Far  off  beyond  the  sea,  I  love 

To  see  the  Gospel  heralds  go, 
Bearing  the  news  from  heaven  above. 

Which  Jesus  brought  to  earth  below. 

May  skies  above  them  shine  serene, 

May  earth  beneath  them  fruitful  be. 
May  plants  of  Eden,  fresh  and  green, 

Bloom  and  regale  their  pious  way. 

Him  may  they  preach,  who  wont  to  stray, 
By  power  oppressed,  and  mocked  by  pride, 

A  pilgrim  on  the  world's  highway, — 
My  Lord,  the  Lamb,  the  Crucified. 

On  heralds,  on,  and  as  of  old 
The  Baptist  cleared  his  Master's  way, 

May  you  demolish  sin's  stronghold, 
And  turn  its  darkness  into  day. 

May  you  in  preaching  wake  the  strain 

Of  triumph  over  sin  and  death; 
Say:  Lol  the  Savior  comes  to  reign; 

O,  preach  him  in  your  dying  breath. 


WILLIAM  HAGUE. 

1808-1887. 

For  many  years  Rev.  William  Hague,  d.d.,  was  a 
prominent  figure  in  the  American  Baptist  pulpit.  He 
was  born  in  Pelham,  Westchester  County,  New  York, 
January  4,  1808.  In  an  interesting  sketch  of  Old 
Pelham  and  New  Rochelle,  in  the  Magazine  of  Amer- 
ican History,  August,  1882,  and  reprinted  in  his  "'Life 
Notes,"  Dr.  Hague  refers  to  a  visit  he  had  recently 
made  to  the  home  of  his  childhood.     Turning  toward 


326  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

the  church  burial-ground,  he  sought  the  grave  of  his 
grandparents.  "Long  shimbering  memories  were 
awakened,  roused  first  of  all  by  the  sight  of  the  mar- 
ble that  marked  the  grave  of  my  grandmother,  — 
Sarah  Pell,  widow  of  Captain  William  Bayley,  —  whose 
funeral  service,  ministered  in  the  churchyard  by  her 
aged  relative,  the  rector.  Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow,  I 
had  attended,  with  a  large  family  gathering,  in  the 
month  of  March,  1819,  being  then  eleven  years  of 
age.  The  form  of  the  venerable  clergyman,  in  his 
official  robes,  at  the  grave,  his  bald  head  uncovered, 
despite  the  chill  of  a  heavy  snowfall,  is  vividly  remem- 
bered now  as  if  it  had  figured  in  a  scene  of  yester- 
day." Here,  at  Old  Pelham,  Dr.  Hague  remained 
until  1814,  when  the  family  removed  to  New  York 
city.  There  his  school-life  commenced,  including  the 
preparation  for  Columbia  College.  In  this  way  eight 
years  were  passed.  Afterward  he  spent  a  year  on  a 
farm,  followed  by  a  four  months'  visit  to  England. 
He  then  entered  Hamilton  College,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  third  term  of  the  sophomore  year,  for  which  he 
had  made  the  needful  preparation.  Here  he  was 
graduated  in  1826.  He  then  entered  Newton  Theo- 
logical Institution,  which  had  recently  been  estab- 
lished at  Newton  Center,  Mass. 

''My  conversion,"  he  says  in  a  private  note,  "dates 
back  to  June,  1823,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Elting,  pastor  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  church,  Para- 
mus,  N.  J.,  during  the  interval  between  academy  and 
college  life.  In  this  connection,  a  certain  Sunday  in 
June  is  recalled,  when  the  text  of  Dr.  Elting's  sermon 
was  John  xv.  22;  'If  I  had  not  come,'  etc.  On  that 
day,  before  the  sunset,  the  reality  of  my  union  with 
Christ,  in  an  act  of  self-surrendering  faith,  was  clear; 
thence,  too,  the  reality  of  my  union  with  the  whole 
spiritual  ecclesia,  recognized  by  him  as  a  unity.  Thus 
entering  college,  I  joined  the  Theological  Society,  and 
entered  upon    Christian  work,  but  was  not  baptized 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  327 

until  the  end  of  my  junior  year,  after  having  made 
the  church  question  a  special  Greek  Testament  study. 
On  the  first  Sunday  of  June,  1825,  in  the  eighteenth 
year  of  my  age,  I  was  baptized  by  Dr.  Spencer  H. 
Cone,  pastor  of  the  Oliver  Street  Baptist  church,  New- 
York." 

Dr.  Hague  was  graduated  at  Newton  Theological 
Institution  in  1829,  and  October  20,  he  was  ordained 
pastor  of  the  Second  Baptist  church  in  Utica,  N.  Y. 
Here  he  remained  a  little  more  than  a  year,  when  he 
accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist 
church  in  Boston.  The  installation  occurred  Febru- 
ary 3,  1831,  Dr.  Wayland  preaching  the  sermon.  He 
closed  his  labors  with  this  church  in  June,  1837,  and 
July  12,  following,  he  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Providence,  R.  I.  At  the  sec- 
ond centennial  of  this  church,  which  occurred  Novem- 
ber 7, 1839,  Dr.  Hague  preached  a  memorial  discourse, 
which  was  published.  August  20,  1840,  he  resigned, 
and  returned  to  Boston  as  the  pastor  of  the  Federal 
Street  Baptist  church.  Dr.  Hague's  subsequent  pas- 
torates were  at  Jamaica  Plain,  Mass.,  Newark,  N.  J., 
Albany,  New  York  city,  N.  Y.,  Chicago,  111.,  Orange, 
N.  J.,  and  Wollaston,  Mass.  From  the  active  pastor- 
ate of  the  Wollaston  church  he  retired  several  years 
before  his  death,  which  occurred  suddenly  in  front  of 
Tremont  Temple,  Boston,  August  1,  1887.  Impres- 
sive funeral  services  were  held  in  Tremont  Temple  on 
the  following  Thursday,  and  were  attended  by  a  large 
concourse  of  people. 

Brown  University,  of  which  Dr.  Hague  was  a  trus- 
tee from  1837,  until  his  death,  conferred  upon  him  the 
degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  in  1849,  and  from  Har- 
vard University  he  received  the  same  degree  in  1863. 
His  published  works,  aside  from  many  occasional  ser- 
mons and  addresses,  were  "  The  Baptist  Church  Trans- 
planted from  the  Old  World  to  the  New"  (1846); 
"Guide    to    Conversation   on    the    Gospel   of   John"; 


328  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"Review  of  Drs.  Fuller  and  Wayland  on  Slavery"; 
"Christianity  and  Statesmanship"  (1855);  "Home 
Life,"  a  series  of  lectures  on  family  duties  and  re- 
lations (1855),  and  "Life  Notes,  or  Fifty  Years'  Outr 
look"  (1887).      . 

In  Dr.  S.  S.  Cutting's  "Hymns  for  the  Vestry  and 
the  Fireside"  is  a  hymn  written  by  Dr.  Hague.  It  is 
the  only  hymn  he  ever  published,  and  probably  the 
only  hymn  he  ever  wrote.  The  title  is  "  Divine 
Pleadings": 

Hark!  sinner,  hark!  God  speaks  to  thee: 

How  shall  I  let  thee  go  ? 
How  shall  I  thy  destruction  see, 

And  all  thine  anguish  know  ? 

Sinner,how  shall  I  give  thee  up  ? 

I  've  loved  thee  as  a  child; 
Yet  of  thy  sins,  thou  fill'st  the  cup, 

As  if  with  passion  wild. 

Sinner,  how  shall  I  let  thee  go  ?  * 

My  heart  doth  yearn  for  thee. 
Yet  thou  dost  love  transgression  so, 

Thou  wilt  not  turn  to  me. 

O  sinner,  stop!  pause  in  thy  path, — 

Pause!  ere  it  he  too  late; 
And  now,  while  I  hold  back  my  wrath. 

Escape  thy  threat'ning  fate. 

But  if  thou  wilt  not,  then  I  must 

Porever  let  thee  go; 
And  that  I  am  both  kind  and  just. 

The  universe  shall  know. 


.^««.V.^^^\54^.i^5  Q).^ 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  329 

SAMUEL  F.  SMITH. 

1808  . 

In  the  front  rank  of  American  hymn  writers  Rev. 
Samuel  Francis  Smith,  d.d.,  has  long  had  a  place.  He 
was  born  in  Boston,  October  21, 1808,  and  received  his 
classical  training  at  the  Boston  Latin  School.  In  1825, 
he  entered  Harvard  College,  where  he  was  a  classmate 
of  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  Having  completed  his 
collegiate  studies  with  the  class  of  1829,  he  entered 
upon  a  course  of  theological  study  at  Andover  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  and  was  graduated  in  1832.  For  a 
year  and  a  half  subsequent  to  his  graduation  he  was 
employed  as  editor  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Maga- 
zine. Having  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Waterville,  Me.,  he  was  ordained 
February  12,  1834,  and  for  eight  years  he  was  the 
beloved  pastor  of  this  people.  During  this  time  he 
also  performed  the  duties  of  the  professorship  of  mod- 
ern languages  in  Waterville  College,  now  Colby  Uni- 
versity. In  1842,  having  received  a  call  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Newton,  Mass., 
he  removed  to  Newton  Center,  which  has  since  been 
his  home.  In  1854,  he  resigned  his  pastorate  in  order 
to  devote  himself  to  the  editorship  of  the  publications 
of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union,  and  to 
other  literary  work. 

From  1842,  to  1848,  Dr.  Smith  edited  the  Christian 
Review.  With  the  assistance  of  Dr.  Baron  Stow  he 
compiled  "  The  Psalmist,"  a  hymn  book  of  great  ex- 
cellence, published  in  1843,  and  long  in  use  in  Baptist 
churches.  This  was  followed  in  1844,  with  a  book  for 
conference  meetings  and  family  worship,  entitled 
"  The  Social  Psalmist."  In  the  same  year  he  published 
a  volume  entitled  "Lyric  Gems."  In  1848,  appeared 
his  "  Life  of  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton."  He  also  edited 
several  volumes  for  D.  Lothrop  &  Co.,  among  them 


330  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

"Rock  of  Ages"  (1866).  In  recent  years  lie  has  pub- 
lished "Missionary  Sketches"  (1879),  "History  of 
Newton,  Mass."  (1880),  and  "Rambles  in  Mission 
Fields"  (1884),  the  last  being  an  account  of  a  visit  in 
1880,  to  various  mission  fields  in  Asia  and  Europe.  In 
1853,  Colby  University,  then  Waterville  College,  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  honorary  degree  of  doctor  of 
divinity. 

Dr.  Smith  has  written  about  one  hundred  hymns. 
Of  these  many  were  composed  for  special  occasions, 
such  as  dedications,  ordinations,  etc.  Twenty-seven 
are  to  be  found  in  the  "  Psalmist,"  and  others,  with 
many  from  the  "  Psalmist,"  are  found  in  later  collec- 
tions. While  at  Andover,  he  wrote  a  lyric,  which,  as 
abridged  and  altered  by  Mr.  Thomas  Hastings  for  his 
"  Spiritual  Songs,"  has  been  extensively  used,  com- 
mencing 

Today  the  Savior  calls. 

The  hymn  was  suggested  by  a  line  in  Schiller's  "Maria 
Stuart," 

Scliwarz  hangt  der  Himmel  iiber  diesem  Land. 

Another  hymn,  which  he  wrote  while  in  the  Seminary 
at  Andover,  is  his 

Yes,  my  native  land,  I  love  thee. 

It  had  no  reference  to  any  special  occasion,  as  might 
be  inferred.  The  writer,  on  a  Sabbath  evening,  had 
been  reading  Home's  "  Letters  on  Missions,"  and  full 
of  the  enthusiasm  which  the  book  awakened,  he  wrote 
the  hymn.  It  was  the  sincere  expression  of  the  au- 
thor's feelings,  for,  as  is  well  known,  had  not  circum- 
stances prevented,  he  would  have  devoted  his  life  to 
service  in  the  foreign  field.  He  has  been  well  repre- 
sented there,  however,  by  his  son,  D.  A.  W.  Smith, 
D.D.,  long  connected  with  the  work  of  the  American 
Baptist  Missionary  Union  in  Burma,  and  now  president 
of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Rangoon.     This  hymn, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  331 

shortly  after  it  was  written,  was  published  in  the 
"  Christian  Watchman,"  and  still  later  by  itself,  with 
music  by  Benjamin  Holt,  Esq.,  of  Boston.  It  was 
first  sung  in  Boston  at  the  designation  to  mission  work 
in  Burma,  of  Rev.  John  Taylor  Jones,  afterward  mis- 
sionary in  Siam.  It  has  been  used  on  many  similar 
occasions  since.  Dr.  J.  Perkins,  missionary  of  the 
American  Board  of  Commissions  for  Foreign  Missions, 
whose  work  among  the  Nestorians  of  Persia  is  so  well 
known,  had  this  hymn  printed  on  the  cards  which  he 
presented  to  his  friends  before  leaving  this  country. 
At  the  meeting  of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary 
Union  at  Anbury  Park,  N.  J.,  in  1886,  Dr.  Edward 
Judson,  president  of  the  Union,  in  an  address  recited 
it  most  impressively,  and  added  that  this  hymn  was 
dear  to  his  honored  father. 

The  hymn  ("  The  Psalmist,"  953) 

Spirit  of  peace  and  holiness, 

was  written  for  the  installation  of  Rev.  Baron  Stow  as 
pastor  of  the  Baldwin  Place  Baptist  church,  Boston, 
in  November,  1832. 

Planted  in  Christ,  the  living  vine, 

was  written  for  the  public  services  at  the  organization 
of  a  new  church  in  Boscawen,  N.  H. 

The  morning  light  is  breaking, 

took  its  place  in  the  hymnology  of  the  church  in  this 
way.  Lowell  Mason  and  Thomas  Hastings  were  pre- 
paring their  "  Spiritual  Songs,"  and  Dr.  Smith  placed 
this  hymn,  with  other  hymns  of  his  composition,  in 
their  hands.  It  soon  came  to  be  a  favorite  in  mis- 
sionary meetings  and  anniversary  gatherings,  and 
since  then,  in  various  collections,  it  has  been  sung 
round  the  world.  Amons;  these  lanQ;uaQ:es  are  the 
Karen,  Burman,  Telugu,  Siamese,  Italian,  Portuguese, 
Spanish,  Swedish  and  Chinese.  Dr.  Thoburn,  of  Cal- 
cutta, says  that  a  Mohammedan  boy's  school,  in  Luck- 


332  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

now,  had  the  first  lines  of  this  hymn  emblazoned  in 
gilt  letters  on  a  banner  which  they  carried  on  a  festi- 
val occasion.  Those  who  were  present  at  the  meet- 
ings of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union  at 
Minneapolis,  in  1887,  will  never  forget  the  scene,  as 
at  the  close  of  one  of  the  sessions,  by  request  of  the 
president,  Dr.  Smith,  now  eighty  years  of  age,  came 
forward,  and  read  this  hymn,  which  was  then  sung  by 
the  vast  conscretration. 

Dr.  Smith's  well  known  hymn, 

My  countr}' ,  't  is  of  thee, 

also   grew  out   of  his   intimacy  with  Lowell   Mason. 
While  Dr.  Smith  was  a  student  at  Andover,  Mr.  Wil- 
liam C.  Woodbridge  returned  from  Germany,  bringing 
with  him   a  large  number  of  German  hymn  books, 
with  music,  which  he  put  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Mason. 
Mr.  Mason  brought  them  to  Mr.  Smith,  saying,   "You 
can  read   these   books,  but  I  cannot  tell  what  is  in 
them."     The  music  of  one  of  the  hymns  pleased  Dr. 
Smith,   and  he  dashed  off  the  words   of  this  lijann, 
without  any  expectation  that  it  would  ever  become  a 
favorite  with  anybody,  much  less  a  national   hymn. 
He  gave  the  hymn  to  Mr.  Mason,  and  it  was  first  sung 
at  a  Fourth  of  July  Sunday-school  celebration  in  Park 
Street  church,  Boston,  in  1832.     It  soon  became  pop- 
ular   in   children's   celebrations,    patriotic    meetings, 
thanksgivings,  and  having  come  into   general  use  in 
this  country,  it  has  traveled  round  the  globe,  and  is 
everywhere  known  as  the  American  national  hymn. 
In  May,  1887,  Dr.  Smith  visited  the  Board  of  Trade 
in  Chicago,  and  while  sitting  in  the  gallery  he  was 
pointed  out  to  some  of  the  members,  and  soon  became 
the  center  of  considerable    notice.     All  at  once   the 
trading  on  the  floor  ceased,  and  from  the  wheat  pit 
came  the  familiar  words 

My  country,  't  is  of  thee. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  333 

After  two  stanzas  had  been  sung,  Dr.  Smith  rose  and 
bowed.  Then  a  rousing  cheer  was  given  by  those  on 
the  floor,  to  which  Dr.  Smith  was  now  escorted  by  the 
secretary  of  the  Board.  The  members  flocked  around 
him  and  grasped  his  hand.  Then  they  opened  a  pas- 
sao-e  throuyrh  the  crowd,  and  led  him  into  the  wheat 
pit,  where  they  took  off  their  hats,  and  sung  the  rest 
of  the  hymn. 

Softly  fades  the  twilight  ray, 

another  of  Dr.  Smith's  hymns,  is  a  great  favorite,  and 
has  found  its  way  into  many  collections. 

As  floAvs  the  rapid  river, 

was  a  special  favorite  with  the  late  Dr.  Sharp,  of  Bos- 
ton, who  often  read  it  at  his  Sunday  services.  The 
following  hymn  ("The  Psalmist,"  892)  is  not  so  well 
known  as  Dr.  Smith's  other  missionary  hymns,  but  it 
is  worthy  of  a  place  in  any  collection  of  Christian 
song: 

Onward  speed  thy  conquering  flight; 

Angel,  onward  speed; 
Cast  abroad  thy  radiant  light, 

Bid  the  shades  recede ; 
Tread  the  idols  in  the  dust, 

Heathen  fanes  destroy, 
Spread  the  gospel's  holy  trust, 

Spread  the  gospel's  joy. 

Onward  speed  thy  conquering  flight; 

Angel,  onward  haste ; 
Quickly  on  each  mountain's  height 

Be  thy  standard  placed; 
Let  thy  blissful  tidings  float 

Far  o'er  vale  and  hill, 
Till  the  sweetly  echoing  note 

Every  bosom  thrill. 

Onward  speed  thy  conquering  flight; 

Angel,  onward  fly; 
Long  has  been  the  reign  of  night; 

Bring  the  morning  nigh; 


334  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

'Tis  to  thee  the  heathen  lift 
Their  imploring  wail; 

Bear  them  heaven's  holy  gift 
Ere  their  courage  fail. 

Onward  speed  thy  conquering  flight; 

Angel,  onward  speed; 
Morning  bui'sts  upon  our  sight  — 

'T  is  the  time  decreed; 
Jesus  now  his  kingdom  takes, 

Thrones  and  empires  fall, 
And  the  joyous  song  awakes, 

"God  is  all  in  all." 


LEONARD  MARSHALL. 

1809  . 

This  veteran  in  musical  circles  in  Boston  was  born 
in  Hudson,  N.  H.,  May  3,  1809.  In  early  life,  he 
evinced  great  fondness  for  music,  and  availed  himself 
of  every  opportunity  to  obtain  musical  instruction. 
Having  obtained  a.  violincello,  he  was  wont  to  con- 
tinue his  practice  until  two  and  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  evoking  not  unfrequently  from  his  mother 
the  inquiry,  "Are  you  not  going  to  bed  tonight,  my 
son?"  In  1835,  he  made  his  way  to  Boston,  where 
he  became  a  pupil  of  Prof.  John  Paddon,  of  London, 
who  pronounced  his  voice  a  superior  tenor,  and  with 
whom  he  remained  for  a  long  time.  He  was  also  a 
pupil  of  Charles  Zeuner,  who  was  considered  the  best 
and  most  original  harmonist  in  the  United  States. 
About  the  year  1844,  he  was  appointed  the  first  tenor 
soloist  of  the  Handel  and  Haydn  Society,  and  for  six 
years  he  sung  for  the  society  the  principal  tenor  solos. 
For  twenty-one  years,  commencing  in  1836,  he  had 
charge  of  the  music,  and  sang  the  tenor  in  the  quar- 
tette at  the  Twelfth  Congregational  church,  Boston. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  335 

Afterward,  for  ten  years,  he  was  engaged  at  Tremont 
Temple,  as  conductor  of  the  chorus  choir.  Still  later, 
he  furnished  the  music  at  the  Bowdoin  Square  Baptist 
church  three  years,  Charles  Street  Baptist  church  five 
years.  Harvard  Street  Baptist  church  five  years,  and 
for  a  lesser  period  at  other  churches  in  Boston.  For 
many  years  he  conducted  musical  conventions  and 
associations,  and  sang  in  concerts  in  all  of  the  New 
England  states.  Much  of  his  time  during  his  resi- 
dence in  Boston  has  been  devoted  to  teaching.  He  is 
the  author  of  many  popular  songs,  including  "Don't 
Give  up  the  Ship,"  and  "The  Mountaineer."  He  has 
also  edited  thirteen  church  music  books.  The  words 
of  an  Easter  hymn,  commencing 

Jesus  Christ,  our  precious  Savior, 

were  written  by  Mr.  Marshall;  also  the  following 
hymn : 

Ever  gracious,  loving  Savior, 

Come  and  bless  us  from  on  high; 
Give  to  us  thy  living  water, 

May  we  drink  and  never  die. 
Blessed  Savior, 

To  thy  presence  we  would  fly. 

We  no  refuge  have  but  Jesus, 
Who  the  soul  from  death  can  save ; 

He  from  every  danger  frees  us, 
And  redeems  us  from  the  grave; 

Blessed  Jesus, 
Life  and  peace  in  thee  we  have. 

Yain  are  all  our  human  labors 

Until  thou  thine  aid  bestow; 
But  thou  waitest  to  be  gracious, 

All  our  weakness  thou  dost  know; 
Blessed  Jesus, 

Help  and  mercy  to  us  show. 


336  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

ROBERT  TURNBULL. 

1809-1877. 

The  Baptists  of  Connecticut  will  long  have  occasion 
to  remember  Rev.  Robert  Turnbull,  d.d.  He  was  born 
in  Whiteburn,  Linlithgowshire,  Scotland,  September 
10,  1809.  His  home  training  he  received  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Glasgow.  Subsequently  he  attended  the 
theological  lectures  of  Dr.  Chalmers,  at  Edinburgh.  It 
was  while  he  Avas  pursuing  his  theological  studies  that 
he^  became  a  Baptist.  For  a  year  and  a  half,  on  the 
completion  of  his  course,  he  preached  in  Westman- 
cotte,  Worcestershire,  England.  In  1833,  when  he 
was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Second  Bap- 
tist church  in  Danbury,  Conn.  Two  years  later  he 
became  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Detroit, 
Mich.  Here  he  remained  two  years,  and  then  returned 
to  Connecticut,  where  he  settled  as  pastor  of  the  South 
Baptist  church  in  Hartford.  In  1839,  he  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Boylston  Street,  now  Har- 
vard Street  Baptist  church,  Boston.  In  July,  1845, 
he  returned  to  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  took  the  jDastor- 
ate  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  a  position  which  he 
held  until  1869.  His  ministry  throughout  was  blest 
with  revivals.  He  was  an  eloquent  preacher,  an  easy, 
graceful  writer,  a  friend  of  missions  and  of  every  good 
work. 

After  leaving  the  pastorate,  he  continued  to  preach, 
and  was  useful  in  promoting  church  work  in  different 
places.  In  1872,  he  was  elected  corresponding  secre- 
tary of  the  Connecticut  Baptist  Convention,  and  up  to 
the  time  of  his  last  illness,  he  devoted  himself  to  the 
interest  of  the  smaller  churches  in  the  state.  He  died 
at  his  home  in  Hartford,  November  20,  1877,  aged 
sixty-eight  years. 

The  honorary  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  was  con- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  337 

ferred  upon  him  by  Madison  University  in  1851.  His 
principal  published  writings  are  as  follows  :  "  The 
Theatre"  (1840);  "  Olympia  Morata"  (1842);  "  Vi- 
net's  Vital  Christianity"  (1846);  "The  Genius  of 
Scotland"  (1847);  "The  Genius  of  Italy"  (1849); 
"  Theophany,  or  the  Manifestation  of  God  in  Christ" 
(1851);  "Vinet's  Miscellanies "  (1852) ;  "Pulpit  Ora- 
tors of  France  and  Switzerland  "  (1853) ;  "  Christ  in 
History,  or  the  Central  Power "  (1856) ;  "  Life  Pic- 
tures, or  Sketches  from  a  Pastor's  Note  Book"  (1857). 
He  also  edited  Sir  William  Hamilton's  "Discussion  on 
Philosophy."  For  two  years  he  was  associated  with 
Dr.  J.  N.  Murdock  as  editor  of  the  Christian  Review. 
He  was  also  a  contributor  to  the  Bibliotheca  Sacra, 
and  various  literary  magazines. 

Dr.  Turnbull  was  also  a  writer  of  hymns.  The  fol- 
lowing hymn  first  appeared  in  Dr.  Cutting's  "  Hymns 
for  Vestry  and  Fireside  "  (1841),  from  which  it  was 
transfered  to  other  collections.  It  was  sung  at  Dr. 
TurnbulFs  funeral.  Originally  in  the  first  line  "  wave- 
less"  had  the  place  of  "  sacred." 

There  is  a  place  of  sacred  rest, 

Far,  far  beyond  the  skies, 
"Where  beauty  smiles  eternally, 

And  pleasure  never  dies; 
My  Father's  house,  my  heavenly  home, 

Where  "  many  mansions  "  stand. 
Prepared  by  hands  divine  for  all 

Who  seek  the  better  land. 

"When  tossed  upon  the  waves  of  life, 

With  fear  on  every  side, 
"When  fiercely  howls  the  gathering  storm. 

And  foams  the  angry  tide. 
Beyond  the  storm,  beyond  the  gloom, 

Breaks  forth  the  light  of  morn, 
Bright  beaming  from  my  Father's  house, 

To  cheer  the  soul  forlorn. 
22 


338  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Yes,  even  at  that  fearful  hour, 

"When  death  shall  seize  its  prey. 
And  from  the  place  that  knows  us  now 

Shall  hurry  us  away, 
The  vision  of  that  heavenly  home 

Shall  cheer  the  parting  soul. 
And  o'er  it,  mounting  to  the  skies, 

A  tide  of  rapture  roll. 

In  that  pure  home  of  tearless  joy. 

Earth's  parted  friends  shall  meet. 
With  smiles  of  love  that  never  fade, 

And  blessedness  complete; 
,  There,  there  adieus  are  sounds  unknown, 

Death  frowns  not  on  that  scene 
But  life,  and  glorious  beauty  shine, 

Untroubled  and  serene. 

Dr.  Turnbull  was  the  author  of  two  other  hymns, 
commencing 

Sinners  are  bending, 

and 

Come  to  the  place  of  prayer. 


LYDIA  BAXTER. 

1809-1S74. 

Mrs.  Lydia  Baxter  was  born  in  Petersbiirgh, 
Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  September  2,  1809.  In 
early  life,  in  connection  with  the  labors  of  a  Baptist 
home  missionary,  Rev.  Eben  Tucker,  she  became  a 
Christian,  and  her  conversion  and  that  of  a  sister, 
were  followed  by  the  organization  of  a  Baptist  church 
in  her  native  town.  In  the  fellowship  of  this  church, 
and  in  the  Sunday-school  connected  with  it,  she  was 
trained  in  Christian  work,  and  developed  an  earnest 
Christian  life.      Her  marriaare  to  Col.  John  C.  Bax- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  339 

ter  led  to  her  removal  to  New  York  city,  which  was 
thenceforward  her  home.  Here  her  interest  in  the 
religious  welfare  of  those  around  her  was  manifested 
in  many  ways.  Among  others,  her  husband  was  led 
to  Christ  through  her  instrumentality,  and  her  home 
became  a  center  of  Christian  influences.  There,  for 
more  than  a  generation,  pastors,  Sunday-school  work- 
ers, missionaries  and  colporteurs  were  wont  to  meet 
and  talk  of  the  things  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of 
Christ.  During  the  most  of  this  time  Mrs.  Baxter 
was  an  invalid,  yet.  on  her  bed  she  wrought  for  her 
Master,  and  her  record  is  his  encomium,  "She  hath 
done  what  she  could."     She  died  June  22,  1874. 

A  volume  of  her  hymns,  entitled  "Gems  by  the 
Wayside,"  was  published  in  1855,  and  had  a  large 
sale.  Many  of  her  later  hymns,  which  have  been 
used  in  connection  with  the  labors  of  Moody  and 
Sankey,  are  more  widely  known,  such  as 

"  On  the  banks  beyond  the  river," 
"  O!  shall  I  wear  a  starless  crown," 
"  We  are  coming,  blessed  Savior," 
"  By  the  gate  they  '11  meet  us," 
"  The  bright  hills  of  glory," 
"  Take  the  name  of  Jesus  with  you," 

and  the  following  (15  in  Gospel  Hymns): 

There  is  a  gate  that  stands  ajar, 

And  through  its  portals  gleaming, 
A  radiance  from  the  cross  afar, 

The  Savior's  love  revealing. 

Oh,  depth  of  mercy!  can  it  be 
That  gate  was  left  ajar  for  me  ? 
For  me,  for  me; 
Was  left  ajar  for  me  ? 

That  gate  ajar  stands  free  for  all 

Who  seek  through  it  salvation ; 
The  rich  and  poor,  the  great  and  small, 

Of  every  tribe  and  nation. 


340  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

Press  onward,  then,  though  foes  may  frown, 

While  mercy's  gate  is  open; 
Accept  the  cross,  and  win  the  crown, 

Love's  everlasting  token. 

Beyond  the  river's  brink  we  '11  lay 

The  cross  that  here  is  given. 
And  bear  the  crown  of  life  away. 

And  love  him  more  in  heaven. 

The  Sunday  School  Times  tells  how  Maggie  Lind- 
say, of  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  felt  the  influence  of  this 
hymn :  "  She  was  brought  to  Christ  on  the  last  night 
of  1873,  during  the  great  revival  in  Edinburgh. 
Meeting  her  pastor  some  days  afterward,  she  told  him 
the  secret  of  her  joyful  looks.  At  parting,  they  knelt 
together,  and  when  the  man  of  God  asked,  'For  what 
shall  we  pray?'  she  replied,  'That  I  may  have  more 
faith,  and  remain  steadfast.'  When  her  governess 
returned  after  several  days'  absence,  Maggie  was  im- 
patient to  tell  of  her  new-found  joy,  and  came  to  her 
room  with  the  message  that  she  had  good  news  to  tell 
her.  'Ah,  I  know  what  it  is,  Maggie,  before  you  tell 
me;  you  have  found  Jesus;  is  not  that  it?'  'Yes, 
my  feet  are  on  the  Rock,'  she  said,  as  she  went  on  to 
tell  the  joyous  story  of  Jesus'  love  to  her.  She 
seemed  powerfully  impressed  by  the  oft-repeated 
hymn, 

There  is  a  gate  that  stands  ajar. 

"January  27,  1874,  she  spent  her  last  evening  in 
Edinburgh,  with  her  governess  and  sister,  and  on  re- 
turning from  the  meeting  the  latter  said :  '  Maggie,  I 
am  to  give  you  a  text  on  leaving  us.  It  is  one  of  the 
words  of  Jesus,  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway.  The 
next  morning  she  took  the  train  for  Aberdeen.  A 
fearful  railroad  collision  took  place.  Maggie  was  left 
for  several  hours  lying  on  the  bank.  She  was  at  last 
taken  up,  and  removed  to  a  cottage  near  by.  It  was 
supposed    she    was   reading    her   much    loved  hymn, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS,  341 

as  the  leaf  was  turned  down  at  the  words,  ''The  gate 
ajar  for  me,'  and  the  j^ages  of  the  book  were  stained 
with  her  own  heart's  blood.  Lying  on  that  stretcher, 
with  both  limbs  broken,  a  fractured  skull,  and  other 
internal  injuries,  she  could  yet  sing  with  bleeding  lips 
the  hymn 

Oh,  depth  of  mercy!  can  it  be 
That  gate  stands  oi^en  wide  for  me  ? 

''  For  me !  for  me !  for  me ! '  she  sang  plaintively,  to 
the  uncontrollable  emotion  of  those  who  were  beside 
her.  Amid  all  her  sufferings  she  never  murmured. 
Her  chief  concern  was  for  the  effect  which  the  siy-ht 
of  her  poor  scarred  face  would  have  on  her  mother, 
who  could  not  reach  her  before  seven  in  the  evening:. 
She  was  twelve  hours  alone  among  strangers ;  '  alone, 
yet  not  alone,'  she  said,  'for  Jesus  is  here.  He  has 
been  with  me  alway.  He  has  kept  his  word.'  At 
last,  unable  to  utter  another  word,  whenever  a  hymn 
was  sung  there  was  a  gurgling  sound  in  her  throat,  as 
if  she  was  trying  to  join  in  the  song  of  praise." 


ABRAM  M.  POINDEXTER. 

1809-1872, 

In  any  reference  to  their  pulpit  orators  and  denoni- 
inational  leaders,  the  Baptists  of  the  south  giv^e  d 
prominent  place  to  Abram  Maer  Poindexter.  He  was 
of  Huguenot  ancestry,  and  was  born  in  Bertie  County, 
North  Carolina,  September  22,  1809.  His  father, 
Richard  Jones  Poindexter,  was  a  Baptist  minister,  and 
he  gave  his  son  such  educational  advantages  as  he 
could  command.  In  July,  1831,  having  yielded  his 
heart  to  Christ,  he    united   with   the    Cashie    Baptist 


342  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

church.  He  soon  decided  to  enter  the  Christian  minis- 
try, and  received  a  Ucense  to  preach  in  February,  1832. 
For  a  while  he  studied  with  Rev.  A.  W.  Clopton,  in 
Charlotte  County,  Va,,  and  February  12,  1833,  he 
entered  Columbian  College,  in  Washington,  D.  C.  On 
account  of  ill-health  he  remained  in  Washington  less 
than  a  year.  A  short  time  he  then  spent  in  North 
Carolina,  and  there,  in  June,  1834,  he  was  ordained. 
As  soon  as  he  felt  well  enough  to  preach  he  attended  a 
j)rotracted  meeting  at  Catawba  church,  Halifax  County, 
Va.,  and  in  July,  1835,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pas- 
torate of  this  church  and  of  the  church  in  Clarksville, 
in  Mecklenburg  County.  Luther  Rice  said  of  him  at 
that  time  that  he  was  the  most  prominent  young 
preacher  whom  he  knew.  His  engagements  were 
numerous,  and  wherever  he  went  crowds  of  delighted 
hearers  attended  upon  his  ministry.  In  1843,  Columbian 
College  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  doctor  of 
divinity.  In  1845,  he  became  an  agent  for  Columbian 
College.  In  August,  1848,  he  was  elected  correspond- 
ing secretary  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Publication 
Society.  From  June,  1851,  to  June,  1854,  he  was 
agent  for  Richmond  College.  In  June,  1854,  he  be- 
came assistant  secretary  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board 
of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  and  he  removed 
his  residence  from  Halifax  to  Richmond,  where  he  re- 
mained until  the  early  part  of  the  war,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Halifax.  In  1866,  Dr.  Poindexter  was  reap- 
pointed assistant  secretary  of  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  but  he  de- 
clined in  order  to  become  a  second  time  agent  for 
Richmond  College.  In  this  service  he  remained  from 
June,  1866,  to  June,  1870.  In  the  latter  part  of  1870, 
and  early  in  1871,  he  was  employed  in  aiding  the 
Foreign  Mission  work.  He  then  accepted  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  Baptist  churches  at  Louisa  Court  House  and 
Lower  Goldmine,  and,  as  in  earlier  years,  his  preaching 
attracted  large  congregations.     He  began  about  this 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  343 

time  a  "  History  of  Jesus,"  and  a  treatise  on  "  The 
Lord's  Supper."  While  engaged  in  this  varied  service 
he  was  hiid  aside  by  ilhiess,  and  died,  greatly  lamented, 
May  7,  1872.  A  beautiful  tribute  was  paid  to  his 
memory  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Broadus  in  an  address  before  the 
Virginia  Baptist  Historical  Society,  at  Staunton,  Va., 
November  13,  1886.  It  will  be  found  in  Dr.  Broadus' 
"  Sermons  and  Addresses,"  Baltimore,  H.  M.  Wharton 
&  Co.,  1886. 

In  1S42,  Dr.  Poindexter  published  a  sermon  on 
"  Piety  the  Chief  Element  of  Ministerial  Power."  In 
1850,  he  published  three  sermons  on  "  Inspiration," 
and  in  1856,  a  sermon  on  "The  Future  State  of  the 
Righteous."  He  contributed  also,  from  time  to  time, 
many  elaborate  articles  to  the  Religious  Herald. 

For  the  "  Baptist  Psalmody,"  compiled  by  Basil 
Manly  and  Basil  Manly,  jr.,  Dr.  Poindexter  contrib- 
uted seven  hymns,  and  spent  several  weeks  in  Charles- 
ton in  aiding  in  the  final  revision  of  the  work.  The 
first  lines  of  his  own  hymns  are  as  follows : 

"  Eternal  God!  Almighty  Power," 

"  Faith  is  of  endless  life  the  spring," 

"  While  through  this  wilderness  below," 

"Blest Sabbath!  day  of  holy  rest," 

"  O  our  Redeemer,  God," 

"  His  sacred  head  the  Holy  One," 

"  Head  of  the  church!  to  thee  we  bow." 

The   fifth   of  these   hymns    was  suggested   by  Isaiah 
lxiii.l7: 

O  our  Redeemer,  God, 

On  thee  thy  people  wait; 
We  faint  beneath  thy  chastening  rod, 

Thy  house  is  desolate. 

Yet  are  we  not  thine  own, 

Though  now  in  deep  distress  ? 
Then  be  to  us  thy  mercy  shown, 

Thy  mourning  people  bless. 


344  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Spirit  of   God,  return, 
Thy  cheering  light  impart; 

O,  may  thy  love  within  us  burn. 
And  warm  each  languid  heart. 

O'er  all  assembled  here 
Assert  thy  gracious  power; 

And  to  our  friends  and  kindred  dear 
Be  this  salvation's  hour. 

O  Lord,  our  God,  descend  I 
Our  fainting  hearts  revive: 

On  thee  alone  our  hopes  depend, 
For  thou  canst  make  us  live. 


SILAS  T.  RAND. 

1810  . 

Rev.  Silas  T.  Rand,  d.d.,  ll.d.,  was  born  in  Corn- 
wallis,  Nova  Scotia,  May  17,  1810.  He  had  his  birth 
in  a  log  cabin,  and  was  one  of  a  family  of  twenty-two 
children.  In  his  youth,  while  assisting  his  father  on 
the  farm,  and  in  his  mechanical  work  as  a  mason,  he 
evinced  an  insatiable  thirst  for  reading,  availing  him- 
self of  such  slender  educational  facilities  as  came 
within  his  reach.  When  twenty-two  years  of  age  he 
made  a  profession  of  his  faith  in  Christ.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  commenced  the  study  of  Latin.  To 
obtain  suitable  instruction  he  made  his  way  to  the 
Baptist  Academy  at  Wolfville,  where  for  four  weeks 
he  enjoyed  the  private  instruction  of  the  principal  of 
the  academy.  Rev.  John  Pryor.  In  this  time  he  com- 
pleted the  Latin  Grammar,  and  read  a  portion  of  the 
Reader.  Continuing  his  studies  privately,  he  at 
length  mastered  the  Latin  language  and  its  literature. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  345 

His  love  for  this  language  he  has  retained  throughout  his 
long  life.  In  his  use  of  it  he  has  written  more  than 
eighty  lijmns,  some  of  them  original  compositions, 
and  others  translations  of  favorite  English  hymns. 
An  interesting  account  of  these  hymns,  by  Rev.  W. 
S.  McKenzie,  d.d.,  will  be  found  in  the  Baptist  Quar- 
terly Review  for  April,  1888.  The  following  is  Dr. 
Rand's  translation  of  "Rock  of  Ages": 

Eupes  Sceculorum,  te, 
Pro  me  fissa,  condam  me  I 
Aqufe  Fons  et  sanguinis, 
Duplex  tui  lateris, 
Scelerum  i^ui'gatio 
Sit,  et  expiatio. 

Kunquam  possim  exsequi, 
Tua  lex  quae  mandet  mi; 
Quamvis  strenuus  semper  sim, 
Atque  semper  fleverim, 
Hoc  nil  expiaverit 
In  te  solo  salus  sit. 

Nil  in  manu  tulero; 
Tuse  cruci  liEereo; 
Vestes  mihi  nudo  des, 
Inopemque  subleves; 
Fonti  foedus  advolo; 
Nisi  laves  pereo. 

Dum  vitalem  haurio  vim, 
Cumque  moribundus  sim, 
Quura  per  Stellas  evolem, 
Ante  tuum  throuum  stem, 
Eupes  Sseculorum,  te, 
Pro  me  fissa,  condam  me. 

Dr.  Rand  sent  a  copy  of  this  translation  to  Mr. 
Gladstone.  In  a  letter  acknowledging  its  reception, 
Mr.  Gladstone  commended  it  as  more  literal  than  his 
own  much-admired  Latin  version  of  the  same  hymn, 
and  also  as  preserving  the  metrical  accent  of  the  orig- 


346  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

inal.     Among  Dr.  Rand's  other  Latin  hymns  are  trans- 
lations of 

"  The  Lord  my  pasture  shall  prepare," 

*'  Kearer,  my  God,  to  thee," 

"  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul," 

"  Abide  with  me,  fast  falls  the  eventide," 

"  Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea," 

"  The  spacious  firmament  on  high." 

When  young  Rand  found  that  he  could  master  a 
foreign  language  without  a  teacher,  he  entered  upon 
the  study  of  the  Syriac.  Afterward  he  took  up  the 
Hebrew  and  Greek  tongues,  and  still  later  the  modern 
languages,  French,  German,  Italian  and  Spanish.  Into 
the  Greek  he  has  translated  "Rock  of  Ages,"  and 
"Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul." 

Having  decided  to  enter  the  Christian  ministry,  he 
was  ordained  in  October,  1834,  and  in  the  autumn  of 
that  year  took  charge  of  a  small  church  in  Westbrook. 
There  he  remained  nearly  two  years.  Subsequently 
for  several  months,  he  was  co-pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  Ilorton.  Then  he  supplied  the  pulpit  of  the 
Granville  Street  Baptist  church  in  Halifax  for  several 
months  during  the  illness  of  its  pastor.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1837,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Liverpool,  N.  S.,  where  he  remained  until 
1842,  when  he  removed  to  Windsor.  Here  he  labored 
until  1846,  when  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Charlottetown,  P.  E.  Island.  In 
1849,  he  resigned,  and  became  a  missionary  among  the 
Micmac  Indians,  a  branch  of  the  Algonquin  family. 
This  language  he  mastered,  and  into  it  he  has  trans- 
lated the  Avhole  of  the  New  Testament,  and  a  large 
part  of  the  Old  Testament.  He  has  also  prepared  a 
Micmac  Grammar,  together  with  a  dictionary  contain- 
ing thirty  thousand  words.  The  latter,  by  request  of 
several  college  presidents,  has  become  by  purchase  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  34T 

property  of  the  Dominion  Government.  He  has  also 
acquired  a  very  full  knowledge  of  the  Maliseet  lan- 
guage (which  is  closely  allied  to  that  of  the  Micmacs), 
together  with  the  language  of  the  Mohawks  and 
Iroquois.  Other  aboriginal  languages  have  also  re- 
ceived his  attention.  All  the  while  Dr.  Rand  has 
been  using  his  knowledge  in  imparting  religious  in- 
struction, and  in  ministering  in  various  ways  to  the 
wants  of  the  Indians  among  whom  he  has  labored. 

Dr.  Rand  received  his  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity 
from  Acadia  college  in  1886,  and  the  degree  of  doc- 
tor  of  laws  from  Queen's  University,  Ontario,  in  the 
same  year. 

Among  Dr.  Rand's  English  hymns  is  the  following, 
by  which  he  is  represented  in  the  new  "  Canadian 
Baptist  Hymnal ": 

Jesus,  my  Lord,  my  God, 

Redeemer  blest, 
Who  saved  me  by  thy  blood, 

And  gave  me  rest ; 
I  lift  my  heart  to  thee, 
That  I  may  nearer  be. 
Lord  Jesus,  nearer  thee, 

Still  nearer  thee. 

Through  this  rough  wilderness 

My  pathway  leads; 
Oh,  help  me  in  distress, 

Supply  my  needs. 
I  trust  alone  in  thee. 
That  I  may  near  thee  be, 
Savior,  still  nearer  thee, 

Still  nearer  thee. 

"When  deadly  foes  assail. 

And  comforts  die. 
And  foes  and  fears  prevail. 

To  thee  I  fly; 
"Want  and  infirmity, 
But  drive  me  nearer  thee. 
Blest  Savior,  nearer  thee. 

Still  nearer  thee. 


348  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Son  of  the  living  God, 
Thou  Savior  dear  I 
While  guided  by  thy  rod 

I  will  not  fear; 
Though  troubles,  like  the  sea, 
O'erwhelni  me,  I  will  flee 
To  thee,  O  Lord,  to  thee, 
I  '11  flee  to  thee. 

And  when  thou  shalt  descend, 
Thy  Bride  to  meet 
y  As  Bridegroom,  Savior,  Friend,— 

Names,  O  how  sweet! 
With  rapture  I  shall  see 
How  near  thou  art  to  me, 
And  I  so  dear  to  thee. 
So  near  to  thee. 

Or  should  thou  still  delay 

Thyself  to  come. 
But  summon  me  away 

To  my  bright  home, 
Sweet  shall  that  summons  be 
That  brings  me  nearer  thee, 
My  Savior,  nearer  thee, 

Still  nearer  thee. 

And  as  I  upward  fly, 

By  angels  borne, 
Still  this  shall  be  my  cry: 

Thrice  happy  morn, 
The  hour  that  sets  me  free, 
And  brings  me  nearer  thee, 
Blest  Savior,  nearer  thee. 

Still  nearer  thee. 

Then  to  eternity, 

Thy  name  I  '11  bless; 
Thou  Lamb  of  Calvary, 
My  Kighteousnessl 
Loud  as  the  sounding  sea 
Shall  swell  that  song  to  thee, 
"  Nearer,  my  God,  to  thee, 
Nearer  to  thee." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  349 

Dr.  Rand  has  also  translated  several  hymns  into  the 
Micmac  and  Maliseet  languages,  and  has  original 
hymns  also  in  these  languages.  He  is  also  the  author 
of  a  poem  entitled  "  The  Dying  Indian's  Dream," 
3d  edition,  Windsor,  N.  S.,  1881. 


MARY  ANN  COLLIER. 

1810-1866. 

In  "The   Psalmist"  (1843)  is  the  following  hymn 
(948)  by  M.  A.  Collier,  entitled  "Welcoming a  Pastor": 

The  sun,  that  lights  yon  broad,  bhie  sky, 

May  see  his  radiance  dim; 
The  stars  that  circle  bright  and  high, 

May  hush  their  joyous  hymn; 

The  spring  may  breathe  her  balmy  airs, 

Yet  earth  no  verdure  show; 
The  purest  love  a  mother  bears 

May  lose  its  wonted  glow ; 

But  still  within  the  Savior's  breast 

There  dwells  a  quenchless  flame; 
The  earth  may  sink,  the  hills  depart  — 

It  lives,  it  burns  the  same. 

O  ransomed  church,  the  Son  of  God 

Still  loves  thy  children  well ; 
For  thee  the  paths  of  death  he  trod; 

'T  is  thine  his  grace  to  tell. 

Savior,  thy  messenger  we  greet 

Within  this  hallowed  spot; 
O,  may  we  here  thy  presence  meet; 

Our  God,  forsake  us  not. 

Miss  Collier,  the  author  of  this  hymn,  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  William  Collier,  who  was  born  in  Scituate, 


350  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Mass.,  October  11,  1771,  and  after  pastorates  in  New- 
port, R.  I.,  and  New  York  city,  became  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Charlestown,  Mass.  Here  he 
remained,  honored  and  beloved,  sixteen  years.  In 
1812,  during  his  pastorate  at  Charlestown,  he  pub- 
lished "A  New  Selection  of  Hymns,"  compiled  by 
himself.     The  first  hymn  in  this  collection, 

"What  favor,  Lord,  that  I  should  meet, 

was  doubtless  written  by  Mr.  Collier,  and  probably 
others.  Mr.  Collier's  daughter,  Mary  Ann  Collier, 
was  born  in  Charlestown,  December  23,  1810.  She 
died  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  December  25,  18G6. 


WILLIAM  L.  DENNIS. 

1811-1874. 

In  "The  Baptist  Harp"  (1849),  a  collection  of 
hymns  published  in  Philadelphia  by  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society,  there  are  two  hymns 
(113,  379)  by  W.  L.  Dennis.  The  writer  of  these 
hymns.  Rev.  William  L.  Dennis,  was  born  in  Newport, 
R.  I.,  in  1811.  His  father,  Robert  Dennis,  was  a  baker 
in  that  place,  and,  later  in  life,  keeper  of  the  Dutch 
Island  lighthouse,  Narragansett  Bay.  William  was 
educated  in  the  Newport  schools,  and  at  the  academy 
in  East  Greenwich,  R.  I.  Without  pursuing  his  stud- 
ies further,  he  entered  upon  the  work  of  the  Christian 
ministry.  He  was  a  pastor  in  New  York  State,  and 
later  of  the  New  Market  Street  Baptist  church,  in 
Philadelphia.  Subsequently  he  withdrew  from  the 
ministry,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Philadelphia, 
April  11,  1853.  He  was  a  brilliant  speaker,  and 
achieved  considerable  reputation  at  the  bar,  as  he  had 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  351 

already  done  in  the  pulpit.  In  his  later  years  it  was 
his  custom  to  spend  his  summers  in  his  native  place. 
He  came  to  Newport,  July  4,  1874.  Here  he  was 
taken  suddenly  ill,  and  died  five  days  after  his  arrival. 
Upon  the  stone  that  marks  his  grave  in  the  cemetery 
at  Newport,  are  the  words : 

Fell  asleep  in  Jesus, 

.  July  9,  1874.  ' 

William  L.  Dej^nis, 

Aged  63  years. 

While  Mr.  Dennis  was  pastor  of  the  New  Market 
Street  Baptist  church,  Philadelphia,  Dr.  Ide  compiled 
"The  Baptist  Harp,"  and  doubtless  it  was  at  his  solici- 
tation that  Mr.  Dennis  contributed  the  two  hymns 
above  mentioned.  One  of  these,  entitled  "The  Wid- 
ow's God,"  commences, 

In  this  lone  hour  of  deep  distress. 

The  other  is  entitled  "'Remember  now  thy  Creator," 
and  is  as  follows : 

Eemember  thy  Creator, 

Give  ear  to  wisdom's  voice; 
Heed  not  the  subtle  traitor 

That  would  delay  thy  choice. 
Come,  ere  the  night  of  sorrow 

Shroud  every  hope  lu  gloom; 
Come  to  the  cross,  and  borrow 

A  light  to  gild  the  tomb. 

Remember  thy  Creator, 

Who  gave  his  Son  to  save, 
And  in  our  fallen  nature, 

Stoop  to  the  darksome  grave; 
He  died  to  purchase  pardon, 

He  lives  to  plead  above; 
Ere  sin  thy  heart  shall  harden, 

Embrace  his  offered  love. 


352  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Kemember  thy  Creator, 

For  he  remembers  thee, 
At  earliest  dawn  and  later, 

On  land  and  on  the  sea; 
Go  to  the  cross,  confessing 

The  sins  of  youthful  days. 
And  grace,  thy  soul  possessing. 

Shall  tune  thy  lips  to  praise. 


PHINEAS  STOWE. 

1812-1868. 

Rev.  PniNEAS  Stowe  was  born  in  Milford,  Conn., 
March  30,  1812.  When  fifteen  years  of  age  he 
obtained  a  clerkship  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  there, 
July  2,  1831,  having  been  baptized  by  Rev.  Elisha 
Cushman,  he  united  with  the  First  Baptist  church. 
When  Dr.  R.  H.  Neale  became  pastor  of  this  church, 
he  made  the  acquaintance  of  young  Stowe.  He  was 
attracted  to  him  by  the  sweetness  of  his  voice  in 
Christian  song,  his  fervency  in  prayer  and  his  readiness 
to  engage  in  every  good  work.  Not  long  after,  at  Dr. 
Neale' s  earnest  solicitation,  young  Stowe  left  a  lucra- 
tive business,  and  entered  upon  a  course  of  theologi- 
cal study  at  the  Literary  and  Theological  Institution 
at  New  Hampton,  N.  H.  Here  he  remained  four  or 
five  years.  He  then  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the 
Baptist  church  at  South  Danvers,  Mass.  In  1837,  Dr. 
Neale  became  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in 
Boston,  and  discovering  a  field  for  which  Mr.  Stowe, 
as  he  believed,  had  peculiar  qualifications,  he  per- 
suaded him  to  come  to  Boston  as  a  preacher  to  seamen. 
Mr.  Stowe  entered  upon  his  work  with  an  enthusiasm 
that  was  contagious,  and  for  more  than  twenty  years 
he  prosecuted  it  with  the  most  blessed   results.     He 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  353 

loved  the  work,  and  lie  did  it  with  all  his  might.  Dr. 
Neale  says: 

"  There  was  no  end  to  his  conversations  with  indi- 
viduals in  the  streets,  on  the  wharves,  and  at  his  own 
house.  He  would  take  the  sailor  to  his  parlor,  and 
talk,  and  pray,  and  weep  with  him  there.  He  would 
follow  him  with  his  influence  when  he  went  to  sea, 
telling;  him  to  write  to  him,  or  if  he  could  not  send 
letters,  to  keep  a  journal,  and  bring  it  home  if  he 
should  ever  return." 

His  power  with  men  is  well  illustrated  by  an  inci- 
dent recorded  in  the  Atlantic  Monthly  after  Mr. 
Stowe's  death.  He  was  visiting  a  coal  mine  in  Penn- 
sylvania : 

"  When  he  found  himself  in  the  heart  of  the  moun- 
tain, surrounded  by  this  immense  body  of  coal,  which 
he  was  told  extended  for  miles  on  every  side,  he  looked 
about  him  for  some  moments  in  speechless  awe  and 
wonder,  then  reverently  took  off  his  hat;  theology 
bowed  before  geology ;  and  he  called  out  to  the  min- 
ers, in  a  sudden,  loud  voice,  that  echoed  portentously 
through  the  long,  dim-lighted  cavern, '  Praise  the  Lord  ! 
Get  down  on  your  knees,  every  one  of  you,  and  praise 
the  Lord  for  his  wonderful  providence ! '  This  sum- 
mons he  delivered  with  such  prophetic  power  of  lungs 
and  spirit,  that  all  the  miners  except  one  threw  down 
their  tools,  and  knelt  with  him  on  the  spot.  '  I  thought 
at  first  I  wouldn't  kneel,'  said  the  exception;  'I  never 
had  knelt  for  any  man,  and  I  did  n't  believe  I  ever 
should.  But  he  began  to  pray,  and  I  tell  you  if  my 
knees  did  n't  begin  to  give  way  under  me  ;  he  put  in, 
and  my  legs  crooked  and  crooked,  till  I  could  stand  it 
no  longer.     By  George,  he  prayed  me  down  ! '  " 

To  aid  him  in  his  work  among  seamen,  Mr.  Stowe 
published,  in  1849,  a  h3nnn  book  entitled  "Ocean  Mel- 
odies," with  the  design,  as  he  said,  "to  counteract  the 
demoralizing  tendency  of  productions  claiming  to  be 
poetry  that  are  scattered  broadcast  upon  our  wharves, 
23 


354  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

and  to  furnish  something  that  will  interest  seamen, 
and  at  the  same  time  awaken  the  better  feelings  of 
their  nature;  hymns  that  will  call  up  remembrances 
of  home,  and  lead  them  to  recognize  God's  j^ower,  and 
hear  his  voice  in  the  storms  that  sweep  over  the  deep." 
He  found  it  difficult,  however,  to  find  in  collections  in 
use  the  hymns  which  he  needed,  and  he  not  only  solic- 
ited hymns  adapted  to  the  purpose  he  had  in  view, 
but  wrote  a  large  number  of  hymns  himself.  Says 
one  A)i  his  intimate  friends :  "  He  did  not  pretend  to 
be  a  poet,  but  it  was  to  him  a  great  joy  to  rhyme, 
and  he  did  this  with  so  much  genuine  kindness  that 
his  rhymes  were  felt  to  be  acceptable,  even  when  the 
muse  halted  in  her  stately  tread."  Twenty-eight  of 
Mr.  Stowe's  hymns  are  included  in  "Ocean  Melodies," 
among  them  the  following  hymn,  entitled  "  The  True 
Friend": 

There  is  a  Friend,  who  's  always  nigh 
To  those  who  on  his  word  rely ; 
When  storms  arise,  and  billows  roll, 
He  will  protect  the  humble  soul. 

"When  dangers  in  their  pathway  lie, 
And  howling  tempests  rage  and  sigh, 
He  then  will  keep  with  watchful  care 
All  those  who  seek  his  face  by  prayer. 

When  sickness  rends  their  mortal  frame, 
And  human  aid  appears  in  vain, 
He  '11  prove  a  Friend  in  time  of  need 
To  all  who  will  his  promise  plead. 

Come,  then,  bold  seaman,  seek  this  Friend! 
He  '11  constant  prove  till  time  shall  end; 
And  when  the  voyage  of  life  is  o'er 
He  '11  land  you  safe  on  Canaan's  shore. 

The  first  edition  of  "Ocean  Melodies"  was  prepared 
by  Dr.  J.  H.  Hanaford.  To  aid  him  in  his  temper- 
ance work,  Mr.  Stowe  compiled  another  hymn  book, 
entitled  "  Temperance  Melodies." 


AND  THEIR  HYMXS.  355 

Mr.  Stowe's  imtiring  devotion  to  his  work  among 
seamen  at  length  caused  his  mind  to  be  affected,  and 
the  closing  days  of  his  life  were  spent  in  the  McLean 
Asylum  for  the  Insane  at  Somerville,  Mass.  He  died 
November  13,  1868,  widely  and  deeply  lamented. 
''The  monuments  of  his  zeal  and  untiring  energy  may 
be  found  in  different  sections  of  the  city  of  Boston, 
and  especially  in  the  better  characters  and  the  Chris- 
tian life  of  hundreds  and  thousands  of  sailors  in  all 
parts  of  the  world." 


LORENZO  B.  ALLEN. 

1812-1872. 

Rev.  Lorenzo  B.  Allex,  d.d.,  the  eldest  son  of 
Rev.  William  Allen,  was  born  in  Jefferson,  Me.,  June 
4,  1812.  When  twelve  years  of  age  he  left  home  to 
enter  upon  a  course  of  study  preparatory  to  entering 
college,  first  at  Waterville,  and  afterward  at  China. 
In  1831,  he  entered  Waterville  College,  now  Colby 
University.  After  his  graduation  in  1835,  he  took 
charge  of  the  Academy  in  Richmond,  Me.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  supplied 
the  Baptist  church  in  Bowdoinhain.  He  then  became 
connected  with  the  theological  seminary  at  Thomas- 
ton,  Me.,  both  as  an  instructor  and  a  student.  May 
27,  1840,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist church  in  Thomaston,  afterward  South  Thomas- 
ton.  In  January,  1844,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  Second  Baptist  church  in  Thomaston, 
where  he  remained  until  July,  1849.  As  secretary  of 
the  Maine  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  he  now,  for  a 
short  time,  devoted  himself  wholly  to  work  in  behalf 
of  the  mission  churches.     November  3,  1849,  he  be- 


356  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

came  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Yarmouth,  Me, 
From  this  position,  November  2,  1856,  he  asked  to  be 
relieved,  in  the  hope  that  a  change  of  climate  would 
be  beneficial  to  his  health ;  and  in  the  following  April 
he  removed  to  Burlington,  Iowa,  where  he  became 
connected  with  Burlington  University,  as  professor  of 
the  ancient  languages.  Subsequently  he  became  pres- 
ident of  the  institution.  Here  he  remained  until 
1865,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  First  Baptist 
churcji  in  Minneapolis.  In  1868,  he  removed  to  Wasi- 
oja,  and  took  charge  of  Groveland  Seminary.  Here, 
as  at  Burlington,  he  gathered  around  him  a  class  of 
theological  students.  He  was  also  associated  with 
Rev.  V.  B.  Conklin  in  the  pastorate  of  the  church. 
But  his  labors  were  too  arduous,  and  he  was  soon 
obliged  to  relinquish  them.  He  died  August  20,  1872, 
and  is  remembered  as  a  man  of  eminent  piety,  sound 
judgment,  and  a  faithful,  devoted  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

In  "The  Iris,"  a  collection  of  hymns  with  music, 
compiled  by  H.  H.  Hawley,  and  published  in  1881 
(Chicago,  C.  Swift  &  Co.),  is  a  hymn  by  Dr.  Allen, 
with  music  by  Mr.  Hawley : 

How  sweet  is  the  Sabbath!  how  hallowed  its  hours, 
To  the  sorrowing  soul  that  is  panting  for  heaven; 

How  it  wakes  the  dull  spirit,  enlivens  its  powers, 
When  to  heavenly  worship  its  moments  are  given. 

How  soft  the  repose  that  it  sheds  o'er  the  earth, 
In  the  hush  of  its  tumult,  the  calm  of  its  strife, 

Like  the  quiet  of  heaven,  't  is  God  gives  it  birth, 
And  the  heart  beats  responsive  to  an  angelic  life. 

Then  hail,  blessed  Sabbath,  in  rich  mercy  given 
To  revive  us,  and  cheer  all  along  the  way  down, 

Even  through  the  dark  valley  till  Ave  pass  into  heaven. 
Where  the  Savior  will  give  us  the  harp  and  the  crown. 


AND  THEIR  IIYMXS.  357 

SEWALL  S.  CUTTING. 

1813-1882. 

Eey.  Sewall  Sylvester  Cutting,  d.d.,  was  born 
in  Windsor,  Vt.,  January  19,  1813.  In  his  boyhood 
his  parents  removed  to  Westport,  N.  Y.,  and  there, 
when  fourteen  years  of  age,  he  was  baptized,  and 
united  with  the  Baptist  church.  Two  years  later  he 
commenced  the  study  of  Law,  but  in  the  following 
year  his  purposes  were  changed,  and  he  decided  to 
enter  the  Christian  ministry.  His  collegiate  prepara- 
tory studies  he  completed  at  South  Reading,  Mass., 
and  in  1831,  he  entered  Waterville  College,  at  Water- 
ville,  Maine.  Here  he  remained  two  years.  He 
finished  his  course  at  the  University  of  Vermont, 
where  he  was  graduated  with  the  highest  honors  of 
his  class,  in  1835.  Without  receiving  a  theological 
training,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  West  Boylston,  Mass.,  where  he  was  or- 
dained March  31,  1836.  In  the  following  year  he 
accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  Southbridge,  Mass.,  where  he  remained  eight  years. 
He  then,  in  1845,  accepted  the  editorship  of  the  Bap- 
tist Advocate,  a  New  York  religious  journal,  and 
changed  its  name  to  the  New  York  Recorder.  For 
five  years  he  held  this  position  with  honor  to  himself 
and  usefulness  to  the  denomination.  In  1850,  he  was 
elected  corresponding  secretary  of  the  American  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society,  and  accepting  the  office  pro- 
visionally, he  participated  in  the  discussion  between 
the  friends  of  that  society  and  the  friends  of  the 
American  Bible  Union.  In  1851,  he  became  one  of 
the  editorial  staff  of  the  Watchman  and  Reflector. 
He  was  the  editor  of  the  Christian  Review,  from  1849, 
to  1852.  In  1853,  he  renewed  his  connection  with 
the  New  York  Recorder.  In  1855,  the  Recorder  was 
consolidated  with  the  Baptist  Register,  and  the  new 


358  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

paper  received  the  name  of  the  Examiner.  Dr.  Cut- 
ting then  accepted  an  appointment  as  professor  of 
Rhetoric  and  History  in  the  University  at  Rochester. 
This  position  he  resigned  in  1868,  in  order  to  accept 
the  secretaryship  of  the  American  Baptist  Educa- 
tional Commission.  Perhaps  he  performed  no  more 
important  service  for  the  denomination  to  which  he 
belonged  than  in  awakening  among  Baptists,  espec- 
ially in  the  northern  states,  a  deeper  interest  in  their 
educq,tional  institutions.  In  1876,  he  was  elected  cor- 
responding secretary  of  the  American  Baptist  Home 
Mission  Society,  a  position  which  he  held  three  years. 
Subsequently,  by  appointment  of  the  board,  he  was 
engaged  in  special  matters  pertaining  to  the  society's 
investments.  He  then  went  to  Europe  for  needed 
rest,  and  remained  abroad  more  than  a  year.  Jan- 
uary 16,  1882,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  he  was  stricken 
down  with  paralysis,  and  February  7,  following,  he 
died.  He  was  a  clear  thinker,  a  vigorous  writer,  and 
possessed  administrative  abilities  of  a  high  order.  At 
all  times  and  in  all  places  he  was  true  to  his  convic- 
tions, and  nothing  could  swerve  him  from  what  he 
regarded  as  the  path  of  duty. 

His  princij)al  published  writings  are  "  Historical  Vin- 
dications, or  the  Province  and  Uses  of  Baptist  History" 
(1858),  and  an  address  on  "Baptists  and  Religious 
Liberty"  (1876).  He  also  compiled  "Hymns  for  the 
Vestry  and  the  Fireside"  (1841),  a  choice  collection, 
"  preserving  truth  and  fervor  of  sentiment,  and  at  the 
same  time  excluding  such  hymns  as  are  offensive  to 
good  taste."  One  familiar  with  the  hymn  books  then 
in  use  can  understand  the  compiler's  words,  "A  wide 
field  has  been  traversed  in  the  work  of  selection,  and 
many  of  the  most  beautiful  hymns  in  the  compilation, 
gathered  from  foreign  climes,  will  meet  the  greater 
portion  of  the  Christian  community  in  this  country  as 
strangers."     The  collection  contained  three  hundred 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  359 

and  ninety  hymns.  Of  these  three  were  written  by 
Dr.  Cutting  himself : 

"  Spirit!  no  restless  wing," 

"  Father!  we  bless  the  gentle  care," 

"  Green  the  hillside,  ever  fair." 

One  of  his  earliest  hymns,  written  it  is  thought  during 
his  first  year  in  college,  or  earlier,  as  it  appeared  in 
Winchell's  "Watts,"  in  1832,  is 

Gracious  Savior!  we  adore  thee. 

A  beautiful  hymn  by  Dr.  Cutting  is  included  in  the 
"  Calvary  Selection  of   Spiritual  Songs,"  commencing, 

O  Savior,  I  am  blind ! 

But  the  best  known  of  his  hymns  is  the  following  : 

God  of  the  world,  near  and  afar 
Thy  glories  shine  in  earth  and  star; 
We  see  thy  love  in  opening  flower. 
In  distant  orb  thy  wondrous  power. 

God  of  our  lives,  the  throbing  heart 
Doth  at  thy  beck  its  action  start, 
Throbs  on,  obedient  to  thy  will, 
Or  ceases  at  thy  fatal  chill. 

God  of  the  harvest,  sun  and  shower 
Own  the  high  mandate  of  thy  power; 
Plenty  her  rich  profusion  strews 
When  thou  dost  bid,  or  Want  her  woes. 

God  of  eternal  life,  thy  love 

Doth  every  stain  of  sin  remove ; 

To  thine  exalted  Son  shall  come 

Earth's  wandering  tribes  to  find  their  home. 

God  of  all  goodness,  to  the  skies 
Our  hearts  in  grateful  anthems  rise; 
And  to  thy  service  shall  be  given 
The  rest  of  life,  the  whole  of  heaven. 


360  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

This  hymn  first  appeared  in  "  Select  Hymns,"  by 
Linsley  and  Davis  (Hartford,  1841).  It  has  six  stanzas, 
with  the  first  stanza  as  follows: 

Creator,  God !  thy  glories  blaze 
Where'er  above,  around  we  gaze; 
Thy  smile  gives  beauty  to  the  flower, 
Thy  grandeur  to  the  tempest  power. 

The  fourth  stanza  is  as  follows  : 

God  of  all  providence,  thy  care 
\      Heeds  what  the  blooming  lilies  wear, 
O'er  nobler  man  that  care  presides 
When  joy  dost  bless,  or  woe  betides. 

The  order  in  which  the  several  stanzas  occur  has 
been  slightly  changed  in  some  collections.  That 
which  Dr.  Cutting  preferred,  according  to  Dr.  S.  L. 
Caldwell  (who  included  this  hymn  in  the  "  Service  of 
Song  "),  is  that  given  above. 


ALBERT  G.  PALMER. 

1813  . 

Rev.  Albeet  G.  Palmer,  d.d.,  was  born  in  North 
Stonington,  Conn.,  May  11,  1813.  His  early  life  was 
spent  on  his  father's  farm.  When  nine  years  of  age 
he  experienced  religion,  and  this  shaped  his  entire 
life.  In  1829,  he  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in 
his  native  town,  and  soon  after  he  began  to  preach. 
He  also  entered  upon  a  course  of  classical  and  theo- 
logical study  at  Kingston  and  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  and 
Andover,  Mass.  He  was  ordained  at  North  Stoning- 
ton in  1834.  His  first  pastorate  was  at  Westerl}^,  R. 
I.,  beginning  in  1837,  and  closing  in  1843,  a  period  of 
successful  labor,  during  which  the  membership  of  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  361 

church  was  increased  from  thirty  to  three  hundred. 
In  1843,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Stonington.  Here  he  remained  nine  years, 
when  he  accepted  a  call  to  become  pastor  of  the  First 
Baptist  church  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  In  1855,  he  re- 
ceived and  accepted  a  call  to  Bridgeport,  Conn.  He 
labored  there  three  years,  and  then  accepted  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Baptist  church  in  Wakefield,  R.  I.  In 
1861,  he  removed  to  Stonington,  Conn.,  in  response 
to  an  earnest  call  from  the  church  of  which  he  had 
already  been  pastor,  and  here  he  still  remains,  exert- 
ing a  wide  influence,  and  held  in  deserved  honor  for 
his  own  and  for  his  works'  sake.  Madison  University 
conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity 
in  1880. 

Dr.  Palmer  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  the 
Christian  Secretary,  and  other  religious  journals.  He 
has  also  published  "  The  Early  Baptists  of  Connecticut" 
(1844),  and  a  '-Historical  Discourse"  (1872),  preached 
before  the  Stonington  Union  Association.  He  is  also 
the  author  of  many  fine  poems  and  memorial  sonnets. 
A  volume  of  selections  from  his  poetical  writings,  ed- 
ited by  his  daughter,  Miss  Sara  A.  Palmer,  and  enti- 
tled "Psalms  of  Faith  and  Songs  of  Life,"  was  pub- 
lished in  1884.  The  poet  John  G.  Whittier  says  of 
this  volume :  "  The  religious  pieces  are  especially  val- 
uable. The  airs  of  heaven  seem  flowino;  over  them." 
In  "Select  Hymns"  (Linsley  and  Davis,  1836)  there  is  a 
hymn  (316)  by  Dr.  Palmer,  commencing 

If  there  's  a  time  completely  blest. 

The  following  hymn,  "  The  Dying  Christian  to  his 
Soul,"  is  a  translation  by  Dr.  Palmer  from  the  Latin 
of  Musculus: 

How  sinks  my  heart  ia  death's  cold,  deadly  strife! 

Nothing  of  earth's  sweet  light  to  me  remains, 
Yet  Christ,  my  everlasting  life  and  light, 

My  fearing,  trembling,  sinking  soul  sustains. 


362  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

But  why,  my  soul!  O  wherefore  should'st  thou  fear 
To  rise  to  the  bright  mansions  of  the  blest  ? 

Behold,  thy  angel  guide  himself  is  near 
To  lead  thee  to  yon  seats  of  peace  and  rest. 

O  leave  this  wretched,  moldering  house  of  clay, 
Shattered  and  crumbling  down  to  earth  and  dust; 

God's  faithful  hand  will,  at  the  appointed  day, 
A  glorious  form,  restore  the  sacred  trust. 

Ah!  thou  hast  sinned!  alas!  thou  hast,  I  know; 

But  Christ  hast  purged,  by  his  own  precious  blood, 
The  sins  of  all  believers,  white  as  snow, 

In  blood-washed  robes,  presenting  them  to  God! 

But  death  is  terrible!     It  is,  I  own; 

But  when  thy  immortality  is  nigh. 
And  when  thy  Savior  calls  thee  from  his  throne, 

Wilt  thou,  O  trembling  soul,  still  fear  to  die  ? 

Since  Christ  for  thee  has  triumphed  over  death. 
And  sin  and  Satan  put  beneath  thy  feet, 

Tear  not  to  yield  to  him  thy  parting  breath, 
But  spread  thy  joyful  wings  thy  Lord  to  meet. 


MASON  BRAYMAN. 

1813  . 

Gen.  Mason  Brayman  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
May  23,  1813.  His  parents  settled  in  the  town  of 
Hamburgh,  Erie  County,  in  1811,  and  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war  of  1812-15,  removed  to  Buffalo, 
where  they  remained  until  the  declaration  of  peace, 
and  then  returned  to  Hamburgh.  The  son,  when  sev- 
enteen years  of  age,  entered  the  office  of  the  Buffalo 
Journal  as  an  apprentice.  Before  his  apprenticeship 
expired  he  commenced  the  study  of  law,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1836.     In  the  summer  of  1837, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  363 

he  removed  to  Monroe,  Mich.,  where  he  was  engaged 
m  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  also  in  editorial 
labors,  nntil  1839.  He  then  went  to  Wooster,  Ohio, 
and  subsequently  to  Louisville,  Ky.  After  serving  as 
editor  of  the  Daily  Advertiser  three  years,  he  removed 
to  Springfield,  111.,  where  he  became  a  law  partner  of 
Hon.  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  and  performed  important  legal 
services  for  the  state.  In  1853,  he  removed  to  Chi- 
cago, as  the  attorney  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad. 
Subsequently  he  was  appointed  land  agent  of  the 
Cairo  and  Fulton  Railroad. 

At  the  opening  of  the  civil  war  Mr.  Brayman  en- 
listed in  the  Twenty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteers,  was 
soon  commissioned  major,  and  appointed  assistant  ad- 
jutant-general on  the  staff  of  Gen.  McClernand.  He 
was  at  the  battles  of  Belmont,  Fort  Henry  and  Fort 
Donelson.  At  Pittsburgh  Landing  he  commanded  a 
brigade,  and  for  meritorious  conduct  was  made  a  brig- 
adier-general. Subsequently,  on  account  of  impaired 
health,  he  retired  from  service  in  the  field,  and  was 
placed  in  command  of  Camp  Denison,  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  and  of  a  military  district.  He  was  also  made 
president  of  a  commission  to  decide  some  important 
cotton  cases  at  New  Orleans.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  was  made  a  major-general  by  brevet.  For 
awhile  after  leaving  the  service  he  was  editor  of  the 
Whig,  at  Quincy,  111.  Then  he  returned  to  Spring- 
field; and  subsequently,  on  account  of  his  health,  he 
removed  to  Green  Lake,  Wis.  In  1876,  he  was  ap- 
pointed governor  of  Idaho,  by  President  Grant.  His 
present  residence  is  Ripon,  Wis. 

General  Brayman  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in 
Wooster,  Ohio,  in  1839.  The  Daily  Advertiser  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  of  which  he  became  editor,  was  partly 
owned  by  Rev.  William  C.  Buck.  At  the  same  office 
was  published  the  Baptist  Banner  and  Western  Pio- 
neer, of  which  Mr.  Buck  and  Rev.  John  M.  Peck 
were  the  editors.     Mr.    Buck  was   then   engaged   in 


364  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

compiling  his  ''Baptist  Hymn  Book"  (1842),  and  Mr. 
Peck  in  revising  "Dupuy's  Hymn  Book."  To  the 
latter  Gen.  Brayman  contributed  a  hymn  of  live  stan- 
zas, commencing 

Hark!  the  rising  anthem  stealing 
O'er  the  land,  from  sea  to  sea. 

For  the  "  Baptist  Hymn  Book,"  at  Mr.  Buck's  re- 
quest, Gen.  Brayman  wrote  the  following  hymn, 
recently  slightly  revised  by  the  author : 

Unto  our  God  on  Judah's  hills 

Be  songs  of  holy  joy  once  more; 
Let  Canaan's  rocks  and  sparkling  rills 

The  King  of  heaven  and  earth  adore. 

For  he  will  set  the  captive  free, 

Will  rend  the  proud  oppressor's  chain. 

And  from  the  isles  of  every  sea 
Bring  Israel  to  his  fold  again. 

The  holy  city's  tottering  spires 

And  crumbling  walls  again  shall  rise; 

Love  shall  relight  her  altar  fires, 
And  clouds  of  incense  sweep  the  skies. 

There,  'neath  the  figtree  and  the  vine 
Shall  Judah's  daughters  peaceful  rest, 

And  gray-haired  fathers  safe  recline 
On  sacred  Calvary's  hoary  breast. 

Those  tuneful  harps  that  hung  so  long 

Upon  the  weeping  willow's  stem, 
Shall  swell  again  old  Zion's  song 

"Within  thy  gates,  Jerusalem  I 

General  Brayman  is  also  author  of  a  hymn. 

Hark!  't  is  the  one  creative  word, 

sung  at  the  dedication  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in 
Oshkosh,  Wis.,  and  also  of  a  "  Voyagers '  Sabbath 
Hymn,"  written  in  May,  1860,  while  on  the  passage 
up  the  Mississippi  River  from  Arkansas, 

'T  is  sweet  to  know,  when  morning's  beam. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  365 

These  hymns,  with  about  forty  other  poetical  compo- 
sitions, Gen,  Brayman  is  about  to  pubHsh  (1887)  in  a 
small  volume,  for  private  circulation. 

General  Brayman,  after  his  removal  to  Illinois,  be- 
came an  active  helper  in  local  and  general  religious 
and  educational  work.  With  the  Baptist  pioneers  of 
that  state  he  was  intimately  acquainted,  and  they  were 
often  guests  at  his  home.  In  1855,  he  was  elected 
president  of  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Chicago  Historical 
Society,  a  trustee  of  the  University  of  Chicago  and 
of  the  Illinois  Industrial  University.  Indeed,  through- 
out his  career  he  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
public  interests,  and  has  discharged  his  duties  ably 
and  faithfully. 


HENRY  S.  WASHBURN. 

1813  . 

Hon.  Henry  S.  Washburn  was  bom  in  Providence, 
R.  I.,  June  10,  1813.  His  boyhood  was  passed  at 
Kingston,  Mass.,  the  home  of  his  paternal  ancestors. 
After  receiving  a  common  school  education  he  w^as 
placed  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years  in  a  bookstore  in 
Boston.  Here,  with  opportunities  to  gratify  his  taste 
for  reading,  the  desire  for  a  liberal  education  influenced 
him,  and  he  went  to  Worcester  to  prepare  for  college 
at  the  Worcester  Academy.  In  1836,  he  entered 
Brown  University,  but  on  account  of  ill  health  he  was 
obliged  to  leave  college.  For  seven  years  he  had 
charge  of  the  publishing  department  of  the  New 
England  Sabbath  School  Union.  Subsequently  he  was 
engaged  in  manufacturing  pursuits  in  Worcester  and 
Boston,  and  afterward  he  became  president  of  the  Un- 


366  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

ion  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company.  Meanwhile  many 
positions  of  trust  and  power  came  to  him.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  city  government  of  Worcester.  For 
four  years  he  was  president  of  the  Worcester  County 
Manufacturers  and  Mechanics  Association.  For  nine 
years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Boston  School  Board. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives in  1871,  and  1872,  and  of  the  Senate  in 
1873.  He  resigned  the  presidency  of  the  Union  Mu- 
tual Life  Insurance  Company  in  1876  and  went  abroad 
in  its  behalf.  Durino;  his  absence  he  investio-ated  the 
life  insurance  companies  in  Great  Britain,  France, 
and  Germany.  He  returned  to  the  United  States  in 
1879.  He  has  now  retired  mostly  from  active  business 
pursuits. 

Mr.  AVashburn  is  the  author  of  many  hymns  and 
occasional  poems.  One  of  these,  referring  to  the 
death  of  Mrs.  Sarah  B.  Judson,  at  St.  Helena,  and  en- 
titled "  The  Burial  of   Mrs.  Judson,"  commencing 

Mournfully,  tenderly 
Bear  onward  the  dead, 

was  written  shortly  after  the  arrival  of  Dr.  Judson  in 
this  country  in  1845,  and  was  set  to  music  by  Heath 
and  other  composers.  Mr.  Washburn  is  also  the 
author  of  "  The  Vacant  Chair,"  a  popular  song  com- 
menciiiQ- 

o 

We  shall  meet,  but  we  shall  miss  him, 
There  will  be  one  vacant  chair. 

This  was  occasioned  by  the  death  at  Ball's  Blnff,  in 
1861,  of  Lieutenant  J.  William  Grant,  Company  D, 
Fifteenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  was  set  to 
music  by  Root,  of  Chicago.     The  hymn 

Let  every  heart  rejoice  and  sing, 

which  has  found  its  way  into  various  collections,  was 
written  by  Mr.  Washburn  for  a  children's  celebration 
in  Faneuil  HaU,  Boston,  July  4,  1842.     It  was  set  to 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  367 

music  by  Garcia.  Subsequently  it  was  re-written  by 
Mr.  Washburn,  and  adapted  to  general  use  in  the  form 
in  which  it  now  appears.     The  hymn, 

Father,  gathered  round  the  bier 
Aid  thy  weeping  children  here, 

which  has  found  its  way  into  some  collections,  was 
written  for  the  funeral  of  Rev.  William  Smith,  pastor 
of  the  First  Baptist  church,  Chelsea,  Mass.,  in  1841. 
Mr.  Washburn  wrote  a  hymn  for  the  dedication  of 
the  Tremont  Temple,  Boston,  when  in  1842,  it  was 
changed  from  a  theatre  to  a  place  of  worship  : 

O  thou  who  canst  create  anew. 

And  change  the  dross  to  purest  gold. 
This  house,  which  once  its  votaries  drew 

To  scenes  of  vice  when  vice  grew  bold,  etc. 

He  wrote  also  a  hymn  for  the  re-dedication  of  the 
building  after  the  fire  in  1880 : 

Restored  once  more  from  out  the  flames, 
As  Time  rolls  on,  through  good  and  ill, 

Fair  Temple!  to  all  noble  aims, 
"We  come  to  consecrate  thee  still. 

Another  hymn. 

When  wandering  through  the  deserts  wild, 

was  written  by  Mr.  Washburn  for  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  Fatherless  and  Widows  Society,  in  Boston,  in 
1843.  The  following  hymn  (Psalmist,  1843)  was 
written  for  the  dedication  of  the  Harvard  Street  Bap- 
tist church,  Boston,  in  1841. 

Almighty  God,  thy  constant  care 
Hath  been  our  sure  support  and  stay, 

And  hither  gladly  we  repair, 
Our  early  sacrifice  to  pay. 

Accept  our  vows;  in  humble  trust 

This  house  we  consecrate  to  thee; 
O  may  thy  promise  to  the  just 

Forever,  Lord,  our  portion  be. 


368  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

And  may  that  stream  which  maketh  glad 

The  city  of  our  God  below, 
Revive  the  drooping,  cheer  the  sad, 

As  still  its  healing  waters  flow. 

So  let  thy  people  here   enjoy 

The  blessings  which  thy  grace  hath  given, 
That  they  may  hail,  with  purer  joy, 

The  uuseeu  perfect  bliss  of  heaven. 


ARCHIBALD  KENYON. 

1813  . 

Rev.  Archibald  Kexyon"  was  born  in  Athol,  Wcar- 
ren  County,  N.  Y.,  July  31,  1813.  His  early  school 
advantages  were  very  limited,  and  he  was  compelled 
to  make  up  the  lack  by  personal  efforts.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1831,  he  became  interested  in  the  subject  of  re- 
ligion, and  July  8,  1832,  he  was  baptized,  and  united 
with  the  Wait's  Corner,  or  White  Creek  Baptist 
church.  In  the  winter  of  1833,  he  removed  his  mem- 
bership to  the  Hague  Baptist  church,  by  which  he 
was  licensed  to  preach  March  18.  At  this  time  he 
received  much  encouragement  and  advice  from  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Colver.  For  awhile  he  studied  at  Wood- 
worth  Academy,  Sandy  Hill,  and  then  at  the  Academy 
at  East  Bennington.  April  15,  1835,  he  was  ordained 
at  Adamsville,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  preaching  half  of 
the  time,  alternating  with  Lakeville.  Subsequently 
he  was  pastor  at  South  Salem.  The  year  1838,  he 
spent  in  evangelistic  work  in  Vermont  and  elsewhere. 
He  then  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  West 
Baptist  church  in  Providence,  R.  I.  In  1843,  he 
removed  to  Vernon,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  After 
a  year  he  went  to  Clinton,  near  Utica,  where  he 
remained  three  years  and  a  half.  At  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
he    organized   an   anti-slavery  Baptist  church.     Five 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  369 

years  he  spent  in  preaching  on  the  Reserve.  He 
became  connected  with  the  Free  Mission  movement, 
and  edited  the  Free  Mission  Visitor.  In  1852,  he 
accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Tabernacle 
Baptist  church,  Chicago.  In  1857,  he  organized  and 
became  pastor  of  the  Berean  Baptist  church.  From 
Chicago  he  removed  to  Iowa  City,  Iowa.  Subse- 
quently returning  to  Illinois,  he  had  pastorates  at 
New  Rutland,  Union,  Wis.,  Peoria,  Chatsworth,  East 
Lynn  and  Hooperton,  111.,  and  Thompsonville,  Wis. 
Mr.  Kenyon  is  the  author  of  a  large  number  of 
hymns,  some  of  which  have  been  set  to  music  by  Rev. 
Robert  Lowry,  d.d.,  and  are  found  in  the  "Royal  Dia- 
dem," "Pure  Gold,"  "River  of  Life,"  "Songs  of 
Love,"  "Our  Glad  Hosanna,"  "Glad  Refrain,"  etc. 
He  has  also  written  many  Christian  ballads  and  tem- 
perance songs.  The  following  hymn  by  Mr.  Kenyon 
is  from  "Our  Glad  Hosanna": 

Jesus,  hear  me  when  I  pray, 
Keep  and  help  me  all  the  day; 
Save  from  fear  and  care  and  sin, 
Make  me  pure  and  strong  within. 

"Weak  I  am,  and  weak  must  be, 
Lost  unless  I  'm  saved  by  thee; 
Jesus,  now  thy  grace  impart, 
Keep  my  trembling,  wandering  heart. 

Power  and  grace  are  thine,  I  know, 
Richest  love  thou  canst  bestow; 
Save  my  soul  from  Satan's  wiles. 
Cheer  my  pathway  with  thy  smiles. 

Only  now  a  pilgrim,  I  , 

Look  for  mansions  in  the  sky. 
There  to  dwell  with  angels  bright, 
Clothed  in  robes  of  heavenly  light. 

One  of  Mr.  Kenyon' s  latest  compositions  is  a  mis- 
sionary hymn, 

Harkl  the  cry  is  wafted  onward. 
Borne  by  every  breeze  and  wave. 


370  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

GURDON  ROBINS. 

1813-1883. 

Two  hymns  in  the  "Psalmist"  (Boston,  1843),  one 
(171)  commencing 

When  thickly  beat  the  storms  of  life, 

and  the  other  (1172), 

There  is  a  land  mine  eye  hath  seen, 

were  rescued  from  oblivion  by  the  editors,  and  both 
are  marked  "anon."  They  were  written  by  Gurdon 
Robins,  second  son  of  Rev.  Gurdon  and  Julia  (Savage) 
Robins,  and  a  brother  of  Rev.  Henry  E.  Robins,  d.d., 
ex-president  of  Colby  University.  He  was  born  in 
Hartford,  Conn.,  November  7,  1813.  Educated  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  city,  he  was  during  his  life  a  dili- 
gent student  of  the  best  literature.  His  children 
fondly  recall  the  many  hours  spent  with  their  father 
in  his  library,  as  he  aided  them  in  their  general  read- 
ing, or  rendered  important  service  in  their  school 
preparations.  At  one  period  of  his  life  he  contributed 
not  a  little  in  prose  and  verse  to  the  newspaper  press. 
His  own  estimate  of  his  literary  productions  was  very 
modest,  and  he  rarely  preserved  anything  that  he 
wrote.  The  hymns  in  the  "Psalmist"  were  written, 
it  is  thought,  between  the  years  1838,  and  1843. 

During  the  greater  part  of  his  life  Mr.  Robins  was 
engaged  in  the  book  trade.  In  the  civil  war  he 
served  as  quarter-master  of  the  Sixteenth  Connecticut 
Volunteer  Infantry,  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant. 
During  his  period  of  service,  he  fell  into  the  enemy's 
hands,  and  imprisonment  undermined  his  constitution 
and  shortened  his  days.  After  his  return  home,  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  he  was  for  five  years  city  clerk  of 
Hartford.  His  passion  for  reading  was  noticeable  in 
his  last   weary   sickness.     Frequently,  when   assisted 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  371 

from  his  reclining  chair  to  his  bed,  with  his  glasses  in 
one  hand  and  his  book  in  the  other,  he  seemed 
to  feel  that  he  could  not  be  separated  from  his  chosen 
companions.  With  the  utmost  patience  and  fortitude 
he  bore  his  severe  bodily  sufferings  during  his  captiv- 
ity, and  with  the  same  patience  and  fortitude  he  met 
the  last  enemy  in  his  chamber  of  death.  He  died  at 
his  home  in  Hartford,  May  23,  1883,  aged  sixty-nine 
years.  The  record  of  his  faithfulness  and  love  is 
cherished  in  many  hearts  as  a  sweet  memory,  worthy 
of  all  praise.  He  was  prepared  for  "the  better  land," 
of  which  he  so  sweetly  sung  in  the  second  hymn  men- 
tioned above : 

There  is  a  land  mine  eye  hath  seen, 

In  visions  of  enraptured  thought, 
So  bright  that  all  which  spreads  between 

Is  with  its  radiant  glory  fraught: 

A  land  upon  whose  blissful  shore 

There  rests  no  shadow,  falls  no  stain; 
There  those  who  meet  shall  part  no  more, 

And  those  long  parted  meet  again. 

Its  skies  are  not  like  earthly  skies, 
With  varying  hues  of  shade  and  light; 

It  hath  no  need  of  suns  to  rise, 
To  dissipate  the  gloom  of  night. 

There  sweeps  no  desolating  wind 

Across  that  calm,  serene  abode; 
The  wanderer  there  a  home  may  find. 

Within  the  Paradise  of  God. 

This  hymn  has  been  transferred  to  other  collections, 
among  them  the  "  Baptist  Praise  Book "  (1065), 
"Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune  Book"  (971),  "Baptist 
Hymnal"  (668),  "Methodist  Hymnal"  (1041),  and 
"Songs  of  Pilgrimage  "  (1151).  Mr.  Robins  is  also  the 
author  of  another  hymn  ("  Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune 
Book,"  973),  commencing, 

Ko  night  shall  be  in  heaven,  no  gathering  gloom. 


372  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOHN  B.  HAGUE. 

1813  . 

In  the  "Psalmist"  (1843)  is  the  following  hymn, 
founded  on  the  passage  "  The  harvest  is  past,  the  sum- 
mer is  ended": 

Hark,  sinner,  while  God  from  on  high  doth  entreat  thee, 
And  warnings,  with  accents  of  mercy  doth  blend; 

Give  ear  to  his  voice,  lest  in  judgment  he  meet  thee: 
"  The  harvest  is  passing,  the  summer  will  end." 

How  oft  of  thy  danger  and  guilt  he  hath  told  thee  I 
How  oft  still  the  message  of  mercy  doth  sendl 

Haste,  haste,  while  he  waits  in  his  arms  to  enfold  thee; 
"  The  harvest  is  passing,  the  summer  will  end." 

Despised,  rejected,  at  length  he  may  leave  thee; 

"What  anguish  and  horror  thy  bosom  will  rend! 
Then  haste  thee,  O  sinner,  while  he  will  receive  thee; 

"  The  harvest  is  passing,  the  summer  will  end." 

Ere  long,  and  Jehovah  will  come  in  his  power; 

Our  God  will  arise  with  his  foes  to  contend; 
Haste,  haste  thee,  O  sinner,  prepare  for  that  hour; 

"  The  harvest  is  passing,  the  summer  will  end." 

The  Savior  will  call  thee  in  judgment  before  him; 

O,  bow  to  his  scepter,  and  make  him  thy  Friend; 
N'ow  yield  him  thy  heart;  make  haste  to  adore  him; 

Thy  harvest  is  jiassing,  thy  summer  will  end. 

This  hymn  was  written  by  Rev.  John  B.  Hague, 
and  with  six  other  hymns  by  the  same  writer  ap- 
peared in  a  small  collection  of  hymns  compiled  by  Mr. 
Hague,  and  published  at  Eastport,  Me.,  in  1842,  under 
the  title  "Hymns  for  Social  and  Private  Worship." 
The  first  lines  of  the  other  hymns  by  Mr.  Hague  in 
this  collection  are  as  follows : 

"  Ho!  every  one  that  thirsteth," 

"  Escape  for  thy  life!  O,  haste  thee  away," 

"  O  thoughtless  and  gay  one,  where,  where  dost  thou  stray," 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  373 

"  O  sinner,  canst  thou  yet  defer," 

"  Oh,  sinful  soul,  what  hast  thou  done," 

"  O  Spirit  of  the  Lord." 

Mr.  Hague  was  born  in  New  Rochelle,  N.  Y., 
in  1813.  He  was  graduated  at  Hamilton  College  in 
1832.  His  theological  course  he  took  at  Newton  The- 
ological Institution,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1835. 
Having  received  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Eastport,  Me.,  he  was  ordained  at  Eastport, 
September  20,  1835.  Here  he  remained  ten  years. 
Since  1845,  he  has  devoted  himself  to  teaching,  and 
has  had  young  ladies'  schools  at  Jamaica  Plain,  and 
Newton  Center,  Mass.,  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  and  Hacken- 
sack,  N.  J.  For  some  time  Mr.  Hague  has  been  a  lay 
member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 


SIDNEY  DYER. 

1814  . 

The  name  of  Rev.  Sidney  Dyer  is  a  familiar  one  in 
very  many  Baptist  households.  Dr.  Dyer  was  born  at 
White  Creek,  Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  February 
11,  1814.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  entered 
the  military  service,  and  participated  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war.  At  twenty-two  he  commenced  a  course 
of  study  for  the  Christian  ministry,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Rev.  Charles  G.  Sommers,  d.d.,  pastor  of  the 
South  Baptist  church.  New  York.  In  1842,  he  was 
ordained,  and  preached  awhile  at  Brownsville.  Later 
he  was  employed  as  a  missionary  among  the  Choctaw 
Indians.  In  1852,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Indianapolis,  Ind.  In 
.1859,  he  received  an  appointment  as  district  secre- 
tary of  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society,  at 
Philadelphia,  and  continued  in  this  position  until  No- 


374  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

vember  30,  1885.  Hq  now  resides  in  DeLand,  Fla. 
The  honorary  degree  of  a.m.  he  received  from  the 
Indiana  State  University,  and  that  of  PH.D.  from 
Bucknell  University,  at  Lewisburgh,  Penn. 

Dr.  Dyer  has  been  a  successful  author.  Eight  vol- 
umes, written  by  him,  all  designed  to  illustrate  for 
young  readers  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  God  in  his 
works,  have  been  published  by  the  American  Baptist 
Publication  Society.  He  has  also  published  two  vol- 
umes in  verse,  "Voices  of  Nature"  (1849),  and 
"Songs  and  Ballads"  (1857).  A  large  number  of 
songs  written  by  him,  and  published  as  sheet  music, 
have  had  a  large  sale.  He  has  also  written  two  can- 
tatas, "Ruth,"  and  "The  Winter  Evening  Entertain- 
ment," both  published  by  Oliver  Ditson  &  Co.,  Boston. 
He  is  also  the  author  of  a  large  number  of  hymns  in 
various  Sunday-school  music  books,  and  also  in  church 
collections.  In  1851,  he  published  "The  Southwest- 
ern Psalmist,"  afterward  known  as  "Dyer's  Psalmist," 
a  collection  of  four  hundred  and  sixty-seven  hymns, 
of  which  sixteen  were  written  by  Dr.  Dyer.  This 
collection  has  been  extensively  used  in  that  part  of 
the  country  for  which  it  was  prepared. 

The  following  is  one  of  Dr.  Dyer's  many  hymns : 

When,  faint  and  weary,  toiling. 

The  sweat-drops  on  my  brow, 
I  long  to  cease  from  labor, 

To  drop  the  burden  now, 
There  comes  a  gentle  chiding 

To  quell  each  murmuring  sigh, 
"  Work  while  the  day  is  shining, 

There  's  resting  by-and-by." 

'T  is  not  to  hear  thy  groaning, 

Thy  task  is  heavy  made, 
Nor  adding  to  thy  sorrow, 

That  succor  is  delayed; 
When,  bending  'neath  the  burden, 

You  toil,  and  sweat,  and  cry, 
"Be  patient,"  is  the  answer, 

"  There  's  resting  by-and-by." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  375 

The  way  is  rough  and  thorny , 

The  way  is  dark  and  drear, 
My  step  is  growing  weary, 

The  night  is  drawing  near; 
Behold  tliis  verdant  wayside, 

How  cool  the  shadows  lie  I 
"Nay,  pause  not  in  thy  journey, 

There  's  resting  by-and-by." 

Ah!  when  the  crown  is  waiting, 

And  room  enough  in  heaven, 
Why  urge  a  further  warfare 

When  dreadful  wounds  are  given  ? 
O,  give  me  now  the  trophy  I 

Why  not,  my  Savior,  why  ? 
"  Still  bear  the  cross  a  season. 

There  's  resting  by-and-by." 

This  life  to  toil  is  given. 

And  he  improves  it  best 
Who  seeks  by  cheerful  labor 

To  enter  into  rest. 
Then,  pilgrim,  woi'n  and  weary, 

Press  on,  the  goal  is  nigh; 
The  prize  is  straight  before  thee , 

There  's  resting  by-and-by. 

Nor  ask,  when  overburdened, 

You  long  for  friendly  aid, 
*'  Why  idle  stands  my  brother, 

No  yoke  upon  him  laid  ?  " 
The  Master  bids  him  tarry, 

And  dare  you  ask  him  why  ? 
"  Go  labor  in  my  vineyard. 

There  's  resting  by-and-by." 

Wan  reaper  in  the  harvest, 

Let  this  thy  strength  sustain. 
Each  sheaf  that  fills  the  garner 

Brings  you  eternal  gain  ! 
Then  bear  the  cross  with  patience, 

To  fields  of  labor  hie, 
'T  is  sweet  to  work  for  Jesus, 

There  's  resting  by-aad-by. 


376  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

At  the  Valley  Forge  Centennial  in  1878,  Dr.  Dyer 
contributed  an  ode,  commencing 

Our  noble  sires,  of  all  bereft 
Save  their  brave  hearts  and  trust  in  God, 

Came  here  with  bleeding  feet  that  left 
In  crimson  stains  a  hallowed  sod. 

He  also  wrote  a  hymn  for  the  Jubilee  of  the  Ameri- 
can Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  in  New  York,  in 
1882,  for  which  he  received  a  prize. 


JACOB  R.  SCOTT. 

1815-1861. 

Rev.  Jacob  Richardson^  Scott  was  born  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  March  1,  1815.  In  early  life  he  showed  a  fond- 
ness for  study,  and  having  prepared  for  college  at 
South  Reading,  Mass.,  he  entered  Brown  University 
in  1832,  and  was  graduated  in  1836.  Several  years 
were  spent  in  teaching,  and  having  decided  to  study 
for  the  ministry,  he  entered  Newton  Theological  Insti- 
tution in  1839,  and  was  graduated  in  1842.  In  Sep- 
tember following  he  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Mar- 
ket Street  Baptist  church  in  Petersburgh,  Va.,  where 
he  remained  until  1844.  From  1844,  to  1847,  he  was 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Hampton,  Va.  During 
this  pastorate  he  was  twice  elected  chaplain  of  the 
University  of  Virginia,  His  health  having  become 
injured  he  returned  to  the  North  and  took  a  some- 
what prolonged  rest.  In  October  1849,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Portland,  Me. 
When  he  resigned  in  April,  1853,  he  was  under  ap- 
pointment of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union 
to  go  as  a  missionary  to  France,  but  providential  cir- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  377 

cumstances  detained  him  in  this  country.  In  1853,  he 
became  pastor"  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Fall 
River,  Mass.  In  1854,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Here  he  remained  until  1857.  His  last  settlement, 
1858-1860,  was  at  Yonkers,  N.  Y.  His  health, 
which  for  some  time  had  been  exceedingly  precarious, 
no  longer  warranted  his  continuance  in  the  pastoral 
office,  and  reluctantly  he  resigned.  Having  removed 
to  Maiden,  Mass.,  he  accepted  the  office  of  superinten- 
dent of  schools,  but  his  work  was  done.  He  died 
December  10,  1861.  Rev.  W.  H.  Shailer,  d.d.,  bears 
this  testimony  concerning  Mr.  Scott: 

"  I  knew  him  as  his  pastor  for  several  years,  traveled 
with  him  as  a  daily  and  constant  companion  for 
months,  and  was  his  intimate  friend  till  his  labors  and 
life  closed,  and  in  all  my  acquaintance  with  ministers 
and  men,  I  have  known  but  few  so  unselfish  in  pur- 
pose, so  true  in  friendship,  so  pure  in  life,  so  elevated 
in  habits  of  thought  and  in  aims  as  he.  He  was  an 
enthusiastic  admirer  of  nature  and  of  art,  was  pecul- 
iarly susceptible  to  the  emotions  of  the  beautiful, 
the  good  and  sublime,  was  well  versed  in  history  and 
general  literature,  and  possessed  social  qualities  of  a 
high  order." 

Mr.  Scott,  whose  graduating  exercise  at  Brown  Uni- 
versity was  a  poem  entitled  "Paul  at  Athens,"  may 
have  continued  the  exercise  of  his  poetical  gifts,  but 
he  is  represented  in  our  hymn  books  by  the  following 
dedication  hymn  only  ("Psalmist,"  944) : 

To  thee  this  temple  we  devote, 

Our  Father  and  our  God; 
Accept  it  thine,  and  seal  it  now 

Thy  Spirit's  blest  abode. 

Here  may  the  prayer  of  faith  ascend, 

The  voice  of  praise  arise; 
Oj  may  each  lowly  service  prove 

Accepted  sacrifice. 


378  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Here  may  the  sinner  learn  his  guilt, 
And  weep  before  his  Lord; 

Here,  pardoned,  sing  a  Savior's  love, 
And  here  his  vows  record. 

Here  may  affliction  dry  the  tear, 
And  learn  to  trust  in  God, 

Convinced  it  is  a  Father  smites, 
And  love  that  guides  the  rod. 

Peace  be  within  these  sacred  walls; 

Prosperity  be  here ; 
Long  smile  upon  thy  people,  Lox'd, 

And  ever  more  be  near. 


J.  M.  D.  GATES. 

1815-1887. 

Rev.  J.  M.  D.  Gates  was  born  in  Orange  County, 
N.  C.,  June  5,  1815.  His  ancestors  came  to  Virginia 
from  England  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  colonies. 
In  the  nineteenth  year  of  his  age  he  left  his  native 
place  for  Tennessee,  locating  first  at  Maryville,  and 
nearly  four  years  later  at  McMinnville.  Here,  March 
11,  1838,  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Noah  Gates,  and 
united  with  the  Baptist  church.  Near  the  close  of 
this  year  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ann  P.  Lyon.  With 
her  he  engaged  in  school  teaching  in  Alabama 
and  Mississippi  until  the  death  of  Mrs.  Gates,  which 
occurred  October  16,  1841.  He  then  returned  to 
McMinnville,  where  in  1842,  he  was  licensed  to  preach 
by  the  McMinnville  church.  February  4,  1844,  he 
was  appointed  a  missionary  by  the  executive  board 
of  Liberty  Association.  His  ordination  followed, 
October  13.  In  1846,  he  located  at  Marion,  now 
Cateston,  Gannon  Gounty,  and  early  in  1847,  he  was 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  379 

elected  pastor  of  the  Marion  church.  Here  he  was 
married  in  September,  1848,  to  Miss  M.  J.  Taylor,  and 
this  continued  to  be  his  home  until  his  death,  August 
1,  1887. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Gates  was  active  in  literary 
labors,  writing  frequently  for  religious  papers,  and 
from  1874,  to  1881,  he  was  the  editor  and  publisher  of 
the  Baptist  Messenger.  He  also  wrote  and  published 
several  books,  viz :  "  Marriage  and  the  Married  Life," 
"  The  Voice  of  Truth,"  "  Reply  to  Ariel."  He  also 
compiled  three  hymn  books  which  were  published,  viz : 
"The  Companion"  (1846),  "The  Baptist  Companion  " 
(185-),  and  "  The  Sacred  Harp  "  (1867).  In  the  latter 
Mr.  Cates  included  twelve  hymns  written  by  himself. 
Of  these  the  following  is  number  137  : 

The  sacred  day  of  rest 

Has  sweetly  passed  away; 
In  love  and  peace,  in  prayer  and  praise, 

We  've  kept  the  holy  day. 

How  pure,  and  how  divine, 

The  streams  of  joy  that  flow 
From  Zion's  sacred  hills,  to  bless 

"With  life  and  peace  below. 

How  precious  to  the  soul, 

Such  bliss  to  feel,  and  know 
'T  is  but  a  taste  of  rest  above, 

Where  joys  celestial  flow. 

O  may  our  thoughts  still  dwell 

On  scenes  of  pure  delight; 
May  angels  guard  us  while  we  sleep, 

And  bring  the  morning  light. 

And  when  life's  fleeting  sun 

Shall  set  and  cease  to  be; 
O  may  our  souls  with  Jesus  rest, 

Through  all  eternity. 

Rev.  D.  B.  Vance  says  of  Mr.  Cates:  "He  was  in 
many  respects  a  great  man.     As  a  preacher  he   de- 


380  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

served  the  appellation  of  '  the  great  commoner.'     The 
Bible  was  the  man  of  his  comisel." 

Four  of  Mr.  Gates'  hymns  in  the  "Sacred  Harp"  had 
appeared  either  in  the  "Companion,"  or  "  The  Baptist 
Companion,"  but  some  of  Mr.  Cates'  hymns  in  the 
earlier  collections  were  not  included  in  the  "  Sacred 
Harp."  He  had  six  hymns  in  the  "  Companion  "  and 
five  in  the  "  Baptist  Companion." 


JESSE  CLEMENT. 

1815-1883. 

Jesse  Clement  was  born  June  12,  1815,  in  Dracut, 
near  Lowell,  Mass.  He  was  educated  at  the  Academy 
in  New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  and  after  completing  his 
course  of  study,  he  taught  there  two  years.  In  1842, 
he  went  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  where  for  fourteen  years 
he  was  editor  of  the  Western  Literary  Messenger,  and 
connected  with  the  Commercial  Advertiser.  He  also 
wrote  a  great  deal,  both  prose  and  poetry,  for  secular 
and  reUgious  papers  and  magazines,  and  published 
"Noble  Deeds  of  American  Women,"  and  "Life  of 
Adoniram  Judson."  He  next  removed  to  Dubuque, 
Iowa,  and  founded  the  Daily  Times.  In  1868,  he 
went  to  Chicago,  and  soon  became  connected  with  the 
Inter-Ocean,  and  afterward  edited  several  volumes  of 
the  "United  States  Biographical  Dictionary."  He 
was  an  ardent  Baptist,  and  served  as  deacon  of 
churches  in  Buffalo,  Dubuque  and  Chicago.  He  was 
also  an  earnest  worker  in  all  Christian  oro;anizations. 
He  died  very  suddenly,  Christmas  morning,  1883,  at 
Butler,  Missouri. 

Mr.  Clement  was  frequently  called  upon  to  write 
odes  and  hymns,  not  only  for  secular  and  educational 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  381 

gatherings,  but  also  for  Sunday-school,  church,  and 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  dedicatory  and  anniversary  services.  In 
"Songs  of  Delight"  (1875)  there  are  seven  hymns  by 
Mr.  Clement.  The  following  hymn  was  written  by 
him  for  the  dedication,  in  1871,  of  the  University 
Place  church,  Chicago,  of  which  he  was  a  constituent 
member  and  a  deacon  for  fifteen  years: 

Thou  whose  dwelling-place  so  lofty 

Ne'er  was  seen  by  mortal  eye: 
Like  a  breeze  from  heaven,  softly, 

God,  our  Father!  draw  thou  nigh; 
Let  thy  presence 

This  new  temple  glorify. 

Thou  whose  blood  was  shed  for  mortals 

Freely  as  the  waters  flow. 
Enter  thou  these  sacred  portals, 

And  thy  love  on  all  bestow; 
Bleeding  Savior, 

Here  thy  wounds  to  sinners  show. 

Shining  One,  this  altar  brighten 

With  thy  radiance  all  divine ; 
Every  burdened  spirit  lighten. 

In  its  darkest  chambers  shine ; 
Dove,  white  pinioned, 

Hover  near  with  smiles  benign. 

Triune  God!  we  come  before  thee, 

That  our  hearts,  from  sin  set  free, 
Here  may  worship,  here  adore  thee. 

And  our  eyes  thy  glory  see ; 
May  we  ever 

In  this  temple  meet  with  thee. 


382  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

EDMUND  TURNEY. 

1816-1872. 

Rev.  Edmund  Turney,  d.d.,  Wcas  bora  in  Easton, 
Conn.,  May  6,  1816.  He  was  graduated  at  Madison 
University,  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  in  1838,  and  at  the  the- 
ological seminary  at  Hamilton,  in  1840.  In  the  spring 
of  1841,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  South  Bap- 
tist church,  Hartford,  Conn.  Two  y^ears  later  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Granville,  Ohio.  Here  he  remained  five  years,  exert- 
ing a  wide  influence  in  the  community  and  the  state. 
He  then  became  pastor  of  the  Broad  Street  Baptist 
church  in  Utica,  N.  Y.  In  1850,  he  was  appointed 
professor  of  biblical  criticism  in  Hamilton  Theologi- 
cal Seminary.  From  1853,  to  1858,  he  was  a  profes- 
sor in  Fairmount  Theological  Seminary,  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  Subsequently  he  had  charge  of  a  charitable 
institution  in  New  York.  In  1865,  in  Washington,  D. 
C,  he  began  the  first  organized  effort  for  the  educa- 
tion of  colored  teachers  and  preachers.  He  believed 
that  God  had  prepared  him  for  this  work,  and  riot- 
withstanding  many  hindrances  he  prosecuted  it  with 
untiring  energy  and  fidelity,  until  he  received  the 
summons  that  called  him  from  his  work  to  his  reward. 
He  died  in  Washington,  September  28,  1872. 

Dr.  Turney  was  a  conscientious,  devout  scholar,  and 
possessed  the  martyr-spirit.  Professor  Huntington,  of 
Columbian  College,  Washington,  D.  C,  says  of  him: 
"Turning  aside  from 'positions  more  pleasant,  and,  in 
the  world's  estimation,  more  honorable,  —  positions 
which  by  his  talents  and  his  learning  he  was  fitted  to 
adorn  —  he  consented  to  toil  in  a  hard  and  obscure 
field,  where  he  well  knew  that  no  dignified  repose  was 
to  be  enjoyed,  and  no  worldly  laurels  were  to  be 
gathered." 

In  1862,  Dr.  Turney  j^ublished  "Baptismal  Harmo- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  383 

nies;  or  Baptismal  Hymns,  with  Appropriate  Original 
Music."  The  collection  comprised  thirty-one  hymns, 
all  written  by  Dr.  Turney,  and  all  but  three  designed 
for  use  at  baptismal  services.  One  of  these  three  is 
the  following,  for  use  at  the  Lord's  Supper: 

Oh,  love  divine!  oh,  matchless  grace  I 

Which  in  this  sacred  rite 
Shines  forth  so  full,  so  free,  in  rays 

Of  purest  living  light. 

Oh,  wondrous  death!  oh,  precious  bloodl 

For  us  so  freely  spilt, 
To  cleanse  our  sin-polluted  souls 

From  every  stain  of  guilt. 

Oh,  covenant  of  life  and  peace, 

By  blood  and  suffering  sealed! 
All  the  rich  gifts  of  Gospel  grace 

Are  here  to  faith  revealed. 

Jesus,  we  bow  our  souls  to  thee. 

Our  Life,  our  Hope,  our  All, 
While  we,  with  thankful,  contrite  hearts, 

Thy  dying  love  recall. 

Oh.  may  thy  pure  and  perfect  laws 

Be  written  on  our  minds; 
Nor  earth,  nor  self,  nor  sin  obscure 

The  ever  radiant  lines. 

This  hymn  has  been  transferred  to  "The  Methodist 
H3nnnal,"  and  other  collections.  Of  the  baptismal 
hymns, 

How  lovely  the  emblem  of  faith 

had  previously  been  published  in  the  "Southern 
Psalmist"  (1858).  In  the  "Gospel  Hymn  and  Tune 
Book"  (1879)  there  is  a  hymn  by  Dr.  Turney, 
commencing. 

Blessed  Jesus,  blessed  Jesus, 
Thou  who  gav'st  thyself  for  me. 


384  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

S.  DRYDEN  PHELPS. 

1816  . 

The  well  known  author  of 

Savior!  thy  dying  love, 

was  born  in  Suffield,  Conn.,  May  15,  1816.  His  con- 
version occurred  when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age, 
and  in  1838,  while  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  Lit- 
erary Institution  where  he  was  fitted  for  college,  he 
united  with  the  Second  Baptist  church  in  Suffield. 
He  entered  Brown  University  in  1840,  and  was  grad- 
uated in  1844.  After  studying  at  Yale  Theological 
Seminary,  he  supplied  the  Baptist  church  in  Bristol, 
and  later  the  First  Baptist  church  in  New  Haven.  Of 
the  latter  church  he  became  pastor,  January  21,  1846, 
and  with  it  he  remained  twenty-eight  years.  In  this 
time  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventeen  united 
with  the  church,  six  hundred  and  fifteen  by  baptism. 
In  1874,  Dr.  Phelps  became  pastor  of  the  Jefferson 
Street  Baptist  church,  Providence,  R.  I.  Here  he 
remained  until  1876,  when  he  became  editor  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  Christian  Secretary,  Hartford,  Conn.,  a 
position  which  he  most  honorably  filled  until  1888, 
and  in  which  he  performed  a  useful  service  to  the 
Baptist  cause  throughout  the  state.  In  1854,  Madi- 
son University  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  doc- 
tor of  divinity.  In  1879,  he  was  elected  a  trustee  of 
Brown  University. 

Dr.  Phelps'  published  works  are  as  follows:  "Prog- 
ress of  Freedom;  a  Poem"  (1838);  "The  Eventful 
Day  in  the  Rhode  Island  Rebellion;  a  Poem"  (1842); 
"Eloquence  of  Nature  and  Other  Poems"  (1842); 
"Sunlight  and  Heartlight;  or  Fidehtv,  and  Other 
Poems"  (1856);  "Holy  Land.  With  GHmpses  of 
Europe  and  Egypt.  A  Year's  Tour"  (1862);  "The 
Poet's  Song.     Poems  for  the  Heart  and  the  Home" 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  385 

(1867);  "Rest  Days  in  a  Journey  to  Bible  Lands,  and 
other  Journies  Abroad.  Sermons  Preached  in  the 
Four  Quarters  of  the  Globe"  (1887);  ''Special  Ser- 
mons. Preached  Chiefly  in  the  First  Baptist  Church, 
New  Haven,  Conn."  (1887).  T4ie  volume  on  the 
"Holy  Land"  has  passed  through  nine  editions. 

Dr.  Phelps'  hymns  date  from  his  college  days.  He 
left  Brown  University  in  1841,  to  teach  a  few  months 
in  the  Institution  at  Sufheld,  and  while  there  he  was 
invited  to  deliver  an  address,  and  also  to  write  two 
hymns  for  a  juvenile  temperance  celebration,  July  4, 
One  of  these  hymns. 

Father,  from  thy  throne  above, 

soon  found  its  way  into  a  hymn  book  used  for  several 
years  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  churches  in  this 
country.     The  other, 

"When  over  our  land  hung  oppression's  dark  pall, 

was  included  in  a  collection  for  use  at  temperance 
meetings,  published  in  the  following  year  at  Provi- 
dence, R.  I. 

In  1857,  appeared  an  edition  of  the  "Plymouth  Col- 
lection," for  use  in  Baptist  churches.  It  was  edited 
by  Rev.  J.  Stanford  Holme,  d.d.,  and  at  his  request 
Dr.  Phelps  contributed  to  it  two  hymns,  one  on  bap- 
tism and  one  on  home  missions.     The  first, 

Christ,  who  came  my  soul  to  save, 

was  afterward  transferred  to  the  "Service  of  Song" 
(1871),  the  "Baptist  Praise  Book"  (1872).  and  the 
"Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune  Book"  (1873).  The  home 
mission  hymn  begins 

Sons  of  day!  arise  from  slumbers. 

In  1858,  the  "Sacred  Lyre,"  compiled  by  Rev.  J. 

25 


386  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Aldrich,  was  published.  It  contained  four  of  Dr. 
Pliel23s'  hymns,  the  one  last  mentioned,  and 

"  Sweet  is  the  hour  of  prayer," 

"  Sweet  Sujiday-school!  I  love  the  place," 

"  Come  friends,  and  let  our  hearts  awake." 

In  1864,  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society 
issued  the  "Devotional  Hymn  and  Tune  Book."  In 
it  appeared  two  new  hymns  by  Dr.  Phelps, 

"Did  Jesus  weep  for  me," 

"  This  rite  our  blest  Redeemer  gave." 

In  the  '■'Baptist  Praise  Book"  appeared  several  of 
the  hymns  already  mentioned,  and  in  later  editions 
the  most  widely  known  of  all  Dr.  Phelps'  hymns, 

Savior!  thy  dying  love. 

This  hymn,  written  in  1862,  was  first  published  in  the 
Watchman  and  Reflector,  and  was  copied  into  various 
other  religious  papers.  Not  long  after  Rev.  Robert 
Lowry  requested  Dr.  Phelps  to  furnish  some  hymns 
for  a  collection  he  was  preparing.  Among  other 
hymns  which  Dr.  Phelps  placed  in  his  hands  was  this 
one,  and  it  appeared  in  "Pure  Gold,"  with  the  excel- 
lent music  which  Dr.  Lowry  composed  for  it,  and  with 
which  it  will  always  be  associated.  It  also  appeared 
in  "Gospel  Hymns,"  No.  1,  and  later  in  numerous 
collections  in  this  land  and  in  lands  across  the  sea.  It 
has  been  a  most  helpful  hymn  to  many  hearts.  A 
minister  in  Glasgow  says:  "A  large  family  joined  rriy 
church  lately.  The  mother  told  me  she  had  first  of 
all  happened  to  drop  into  our  chapel,  while  a  stranger 
in  Glasgow,  when  she  was  quite  overcome,  as  if  her 
heart  were  lifted  up,  with  the  people  singing 

Something  for  thee." 

Professor  W.  F.  Sherwin,  a  few  years  ago,  was 
holding  a  Sunday-school  Institute  in  Maine,  and  dur- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  387 

ing  the  singing  of  the  third  verse  of  this  hymn  a 
young  lawyer  was  so  much  affected  that  it  was  the 
means  of  changing  all  his  plans  for  life;  and  conse- 
crating himself  to  Christ's  service,  he  devoted  himself 
with  his  whole  heart  to  evangelistic  work.  Says  Dr. 
Phelps:  "I  have  had  requests  for  autograph  copies  of 
this  hymn,  and  many  testimonies  concerning  its  help- 
fulness to  others.  I  have  heard  it  suna!"  in  various 
and  distant  parts  of  our  land,  on  ocean  steamers  and 
in  other  countries.  A  friend  recently  showed  me  a 
hymn  book  in  the  Swedish  language,  containing  it." 
At  the  celebration  of  the  author's  seventieth  birthday, 
with  other  letters,  the  following  words  of  sincere 
congratulation  from  Rev.  Robert  Lowry,  d.d.,  dated 
Plainfield,  N.  J.,  May  13,  1886,  were  read :  "  It  is 
worth  living  seventy  years  even  if  nothing  comes  of 
it  but  one  such  hymn  as 

Savior!  thy  dying  love 

Thou  gavest  nie; 
Nor  should  I  aught  withhold, 

Dear  Lord,  from  thee. 

Happy  is  the  man  who  can  produce  one  song  which 
the  world  will  keep  on  singing  after  its  author  shall 
have  passed  away.  May  the  tuneful  harp  preserve 
its  strings  for  many  a  long  year  yet,  and  the  last  song 
reach  us  only  when  it  is  time  for  the  singer  to  take 
his  place  in  the  heavenly  choir." 

In  these  words,  I  am  sure,  Dr.  Lowry  has  given 
expression  to  the  thoughts  of  very  many  of  Dr. 
Phelps'  friends. 

This  hymn  has  recently  been  revised  by  its  author, 
and  it  is  inserted  here  in  its  amended  form : 

Savior!  thy  dying  love 

Thou  gavest  me ; 
Nor  should  I  aught  withhold, 

Dear  Lord,  from  thee. 


388  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

In  love  my  soul  would  bow, 
My  heart  fulfil  its  vow, 
Some  offering  bring  thee  now, 
Something  for  thee. 

O'er  the  blest  mercy-seat 

Pleading  for  me. 
Upward  in  faith  I  look, 

Jesus,  to  thee. 
Help  me  the  cross  to  bear, 
Thy  wondrous  love  declare. 
Some  song  to  raise,  or  prayer, 

Something  for  thee. 

Give  me  a  faithful  heart  — 

Likeness  to  thee, 
That  each  departing  day 

Henceforth  may  see 
Some  work  of  love  begun. 
Some  deed  of  kindness  done, 
Some  wanderer  sought  and  won, 

Something  for  thee. 

All  that  I  am  and  have  — 

Thy  gifts  so  free  — 
Ever,  in  joy  or  grief. 

My  Lord,  for  thee; 
And  when  thy  face  I  see. 
My  ransomed  soul  shall  be. 
Through  all  eternity, 

Something  for  thee. 

Another  of  Dr.  Phelps'  hymns,  written  in  1860,  has 
been  widely  used  in  Sunday-schools  and  by  evangelis- 
tic workers  at  home  and  abroad.     It  commences, 
Once  I  heard  a  sound  at  my  heart's  dark  door. 

Dr.   Lowry,  in  composing  the  music  for  it,  added  a 
refrain,  and  it  appeared  first  in  "Pure  Gold." 
Another  hymn. 

While  on  life's  stormy  sea, 

written  by  Dr.  Phelps  in  1862,  is  found  in  several 
hymnals,  although  in  all  cases  the  author's  name  is 
■nni  nffnnViPfl  tn  it.      Anotlicr  of  liis  hvmns. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  389 

Come  trembling  soul,  be  not  afraid, 

was  written  after  visiting  a  sick  man,  who,  feeling 
his  need  of  Christ,  found  it  difficult  to  believe. 
This  hymn,  also,  has  found  its  way  into  published 
collections. 

Dr.  Phelps  has  written  a  large  number  of  hymns 
suggested  by  events  in  the  life  of  Christ,  and  many  of 
them  have  been  pubHshed  in  the  Christian  Secretary, 
from  which  they  have  been  transferred  to  other  relig- 
ious journals. 


GEORGE  W.  ANDERSON. 

1816  . 

Rev.  George  W.  Anderson,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Phil- 
adelphia, May  15,  1816.  When  a  child  he  entered 
upon  a  religious  life,  and  March  20,  1826,  he  was  bap- 
tized by  Rev.  T.  T.  "VYoolsey,  and  united  with  the 
Central  Baptist  church  in  his  native  city.  Having 
completed  his  preparatory  studies  he  entered  Madison 
University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1814.  In 
the  autumn  of  that  year  he  entered  Hamilton  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  and  was  graduated  in  1846.  He 
then  assumed  the  editorial  management  of  a  Baptist 
paper,  the  Christian  Chronicle,  published  in  the  inter- 
est of  the  newly  established  university  at  Lewisburgh, 
Penn.  Three  years  later  he  was  elected  professor  of 
the  Latin  lano-uasre  and  literature  in  the  same  univer- 

O  CD 

sity.  In  1854,  he  was  ordained,  and  became  pastor  of 
the  Northeast  Baptist  church,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y. 
Four  years  later  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the 
Lower  Merion  Baptist  church,  Montgomery  County, 
Penn.  In  1864,  he  was  appointed  literary  editor  of 
the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society,  a  position 


390  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

which  he  still  holds,  and  in  which  he  has  rendered  val- 
uable service  to  American  Baptists,  For  many  years 
he  has  been  a  dilis-ent  student  of  our  denominational 
history  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  He  also 
takes  a  deep  interest  in  our  educational  and  denomina- 
tional work.  In  1869,  the  University  at  Lewisburgh, 
now  Bucknell  University,  conferred  upon  him  the 
degree  of  doctor  of  divinity. 

Dr.  Anderson  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  the 
National  Baptist  and  other  papers.  He  is  also  the 
author  of  "  The  Way  to  Christ  and  the  Walk  in 
Christ"  (1853);  "A  Plea  for  Principles;  or  the  Bap- 
tists and  the  Ordinances"  (1859);  "First  Scripture 
Question  Book"  (1862);  "The  Good  News"  (1863); 
"The  Baptists  in  the  United  States"  (1875);  "The 
Missionary  Outlook"  (1884);  and  "Footprints  of 
Baptism  in  Europe "  (1885).  The  following  hymn 
(502),  written  by  Dr.  Anderson,  appeared  in  "  The 
Baptist  Harp  "  (1849),  and  is  included  in  several  later 
collections : 

Onward,  herald  of  the  gospel, 

Bear  thy  tidings  through  the  land; 

Preach  the  word,  as  heaven's  apostle, 
Sent  by  Christ's  divine  command. 

Jesus,  once  the  gospel  preaching. 
Through  his  native  Judah  went, 
Salem's  sons  in  mercy  teaching, 
Calling  Israel  to  repent. 

Israel,  all  his  deep  love  slighting, 

Spurning  all  his  tenderness, 
Still  he  followed,  still  inviting, 

Weeping  where  he  could  not  bless. 

Follow  then,  thy  Lord's  example; 

Toil  in  hope,  nor  faint,  nor  fear, 
For  thy  needs  his  grace  is  ample, 

At  thy  side  he  's  ever  near. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  391 

Work,  until  the  day  is  ended, 

Till  thy  sun  sinks  in  the  west; 
Then,  with  joy  and  triumph  blended, 

Christ  shall  brinor  thee  to  his  rest. 


In  the  same  collection  is  another  hymn  (326)  bj  Dr. 
iommencing 

Now  let  us  raise  one  last  sweet  sons. 


Anderson,  commencing; 


JAMES  SPENCER. 

1816  . 

Rev.  James  Spencer  has  three  hymns  in  the  "  Ca- 
nadian Baptist  Hymnal"  (1888).  Two  of  these  were 
written  for  seamen's  services.  The  following  hymn 
was  written  in  1869,  on  the  occasion  of  the  departure 
of  Rev.  William  George  to  enter  upon  missionary  ser- 
vice in  Burma: 

Constrained  by  love,  go  and  proclaim 
To  distant  heathen,  veiled  in  night, 

The  potency  of  that  blessed  name, 
Which  turned  our  darkness  into  light. 

Go,  then,  and  seek  that  wandering  flock 

Whose  laud  no  living  waters  give; 
And  point  to  that  once  smitten  Rock, 

And  bid  them  drink  thereof,  and  live. 

Go  to  that  parched  and  arid  field, 

And  with  good  seed  implant  the  ground; 

The  dreary  desert  fruit  shall  yield, 
And  with  the  reaper's  song  redound. 

Go,  take  to  them  the  living  bread, 

AVhich  God  to  us  has  freely  given ; 
So  shall  their  hungry  souls  be  fed 

With  manna  that  came  down  from  heaven. 


392  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Go,  bid  the  lame  with  gladness  bound, 
And  teach  their  silent  tongues  to  sing; 

And  let  the  distant  vales  resound 
With  praise  to  Zion's  glorious  King. 

Mr.  Spencer  was  born  October  13,  1816,  at  Mire 
River,  twelve  miles  from  the  old  city  of  Louisburg, 
Island  of  Cape  Breton,  Nova  Scotia.  During  the 
early  part  of  his  life  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits.  When  thirty  years  of  age  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  experimental  Christianity,  and  as  a 
result  of  his  study  of  the  Scriptures,  he  became  a  Bap- 
tist. Soon  afterward  he  was  impressed  with  the  duty 
of  preaching  to  others  the  gospel  he  had  received. 
In  1853,  he  was  ordained  at  Chester,  N.  S.,  and  there 
he  remained,  engaged  in  pastoral  work,  two  years. 
Then  he  was  pastor  seven  years  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  Lower  Granville,  during  which  time  ninety  persons 
were  baptized.  Four  years  he  was  pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Digby,  and  preached  also  to  other  small 
churches  in  the  vicinity.  Since  1864,  he  has  effi- 
ciently labored  in  St.  John,  N.  B.,  as  seamen's  chap- 
lain, preaching  to  those  who  go  down  to  the  sea  in 
ships,  as  well  as  others,  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 


a 

H.  H.  HAWLEY. 

1817  . 


In   many  modern  collections  occurs   the   following 
hymn  : 

There  is  a  hope,  a  blessed  hope, 

More  precious  and  more  bright 
Than  all  the  joyless  mockery 

The  world  esteems  delight. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  393 

There  is  a  star,  a  lovely  star, 

That  lights  the  darkest  gloom, 
And  sheds  a  peaceful  radiance  o'er 

The  prospects  of  the  tomb. 

There  is  a  voice,  a  cheering  voice, 

That  lifts  the  soul  above. 
Dispels  the  painful  anxious  doubt, 

And  whispers  "  God  is  love." 

That  voice,  aloud  from  Calvary's  height, 

Proclaims  the  soul  forgiven ; 
That  star  is  revelation's  light; 

That  hope  the  hope  of  heaven. 

This  hymn  with  alterations  in  the  second  and  fourth 
stanzas,  first  appeared  anonymously  in  "  Hymns  of 
Zion,"  compiled  by  Abel  C.  Thomas,  and  published  in 
Philadelphia  in  1839.  It  was  written  by  Mr.  Hawley 
in  1835.  He  says  :  "  I  never  knew  how  it  got  into 
print,  but  I  surmise  that  Rev.  A.  F.  Rockwell,  in  whose 
wife's  album  I  had  written  the  hymn,  sent  it  to  a  Bap- 
tist paper  in  New  York,  for  which  he  acted  as  agent, 
that  he  sent  it  w^ithout  my  name,  probably  with  no 
signature.  I  presume  Mr.  Rockwell's  album  cannot 
now  be  found,  but  I  have  the  manuscript  book  in 
which  that  hymn  was  copied  under  date  of  1835." 

Mr.  Hawley  is  the  author  of  "  The  Iris,  Songs  of 
Jesus  for  Sunday  Schools  and  Devotional  Meetings  " 
(1881).  The  music  is  for  the  most  part  by  Mr.  Haw- 
ley. Concerning  this  work,  he  says  :  "Finding  some 
fugitive  gem  of  sacred  poetry  not  set  to  music,  I 
wished  to  sing  it,  or  set  to  that  which  I  thought  poorly 
expressed  its  sentiments,  I  wished  to  improve  it."  Six 
of  the  hymns  in  this  work  are  by  Mr.  Hawley  : 

"  My  soul  shall  wait  upon  the  Lord," 

"  What  shall  we  do  with  Jesus," 

"  I  love  at  the  dawn  of  the  Sabbath  day," 

"  We  have  come  from  hill  and  valley," 

"  See  that  glorious  signal  flying," 

"  Once  more  to  thy  temple." 


394  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Mr.  Hawle}^  was  born  in  Lewis  County,  New  York, 
April  10,  1817.  He  received  his  education  at  the 
Academy  in  Utica,  then  under  the  charge  of  David 
Prentiss,  ll.d.,  an  instructor  of  marked  abiUties. 
When  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  for  three  years 
following,  Mr.  Hawley  was  the  instructor  in  the 
primary  department  of  the  academy.  In  1835,  he 
united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Trenton  Village, 
whither  his  parents  had  removed.  Here  he  established 
a  Sunday-school,  and  was  active  in  Christian  w^ork.  In 
1837,  at  the  request  of  Dr.  Edward  Bright,  abandon- 
ing his  purpose  to  become  a  teacher,  he  entered  the 
counting-room  of  Bennett  &  Bright,  booksellers  and 
publishers  in  Utica,  and  four  years  later,  on  Dr. 
Bright' s  retirement,  Mr.  Hawley  was  admitted  to  the 
firm,  then  known  as  Bennett,  Backus  &  Hawley. 
Seven  years  afterward  the  publishing  department 
passed  into  Mr.  Hawley' s  hands.  Subsequently  he 
formed  a  connection  with  a  publishing  house  in  Hart- 
ford, Conn.,  and  for  a  while  he  made  Hartford  his 
home,  retaining  his  connection  with  the  bookstore  in 
Utica.  In  1856,  he  removed  to  Burlington,  Iowa, 
where  he  conducted  a  book  and  music  store,  and  also 
an  insurance  business.  To  the  latter  he  at  length 
devoted  the  whole  of  his  attention,  and  in  1864,  he 
became  agent  for  the  west  and  northwest  of  the 
Underwriters'  Agency  of  New  York.  His  health 
after  a  while  became  impaired,  and  in  1872,  he  went 
with  his  family  to  southwestern  Wisconsin,  where  in 
the  fields  and  woods  his  health  was  in  a  measure 
restored.     He  now  resides  in  Chicago,  111. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  395 

EDWIN  BURNHAM. 

1817-1887. 

Rev.  Edwin  Burnham  was  born  in  Essex,  Mass., 
May  10,  1817.  He  had  only  a  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  beyond  that  was  entirely  a  self-educated 
man.  When  nineteen  years  of  age  he  was  ordained 
at  Springfield,  N.  H.,  as  a  minister  of  the  Christian 
Baptist  denomination.  His  first  charge  was  at  Kenne- 
bunk,  Me.,  where  he  was  settled  the  year  following 
his  ordination.  Subsequently  he  was  pastor  of  a 
Christian  Baptist  church  in  Boston,  and  later  in  Exe- 
ter, N.  H.,  and  Newburyport,  Mass.  In  1865,  he 
united  with  the  Second  Baptist  church  in  Holyoke, 
Mass.,  where  he  was  re-ordained  December  22.  For 
about  a  year  he  served  this  church  as  pastor.  In 
1869,  he  entered  upon  evangelistic  work,  to  which  he 
gave  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and  in  which  he  was 
greatly  blessed.  He  had  a  commanding  presence,  a 
fine  voice,  and  his  words  in  presenting  the  claims  of 
the  gospel  could  not  fail  to  arouse  the  hearts  and  con- 
sciences of  his  hearers.  He  died  at  his  home  in  New- 
buryport, Mass.,  January  29,  1887. 

Mr.  Burnham,  in  1867,  pubhshed  "Revival  Hymns, 
Original  and  Selected."  The  following  hymn,  writ- 
ten by  Mr.  Burnham  in  1848,  is  number  435  in  Rev. 
H.  L.  Hastinscs'  "Sonsrs  of  Pilg-rimao^e": 

O  O  o  O 

Thine  oath,  and  promise,  mighty  God, 

Kecorded  in  thy  word, 
Become  our  hope's  foundation  broad, 

And  confidence  afford. 

Like  Abraham,  the  friend  of  God, 

Thy  faithfulness  we  prove; 
We  tread  in  paths  the  fathers  trod, 

Blest  with  thy  light  and  love. 


396  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Largely  our  consolation  flows, 
"While  we  expect  the  day 

That  ends-  our  griefs  and  pains  and  woes, 
And  drives  our  fears  away. 

Let  floods  of  mighty  vengeance  roll, 
And  compass  earth  around; 

Let  thunders  sound  from  pole  to  pole, 
And  earthquakes  vast  astound; 

Let  nature  all  convulse  and  shake, 

And  angry  nations  rage ; 
Thy  name  our  hiding-place  we  make; 

To  save  thou  dost  engage. 


EMILY  C.  JUDSON. 

1817-1854. 

In  Dyer's  "  Psalmist  "  there  is  a  hymn  by  Emily  E. 
Chubbuck,  commencing 

Mother,  has  the  dove  that  nestled. 

Miss  Chnbbuck,  also  known  by  her  nom,  de  jilume 
"  Fanny  Forester,"  was  born  in  Eaton,  a  small  town  in 
Central  New  York,  August  22,  1817.  Her  parents 
were  poor,  and  at  an  early  age  she  assisted  in  support- 
ing the  family  by  her  work  in  a  woolen  factory. 
Afterward  she  taught  the  village  school,  and  when 
she  was  twenty  years  of  age  she  was  a  welcome  con- 
tributor to  the  poetical  column  of  the  village  news- 
paper. Having  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Misses 
Sheldon,  who  kept  a  well  known  young  ladies'  school  in 
Utica,  she  was  made  welcome  to  advantages  of  which 
she  gladly  availed  herself.  In  the  hope  of  -continuing 
the  assistance  she  had  rendered  her  parents,  she  com- 
menced to  write  the  stories  for  children  which,  later, 
were    published   under    the   title    of     "  Alderbrook." 


^^-^^^^-^^^^^^^t^^t^^^^^Z'-' 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  397 

Then  N.  P.  Willis  made  her  welcome  to  the  colmnns 
of  the  Evening  Mirror,  and  so,  after  a  long  struggle 
with  poverty  and  other  adverse  circumstances,  she  had 
made  her  way  to  a  position  of  honor  and  influence  in 
the  literary  world. 

Converted  when  eight  years  of  age,  she  early  had  a 
conviction  that  at  some  time  she  would  be  a  missionary. 
In  January,  1846,  she  met  Dr.  Adoniram  Judson  at 
the  home  of  Rev.  A.  D.  Gillette,  d.d.,  in  Philadelphia, 
and  they  were  married  June  2,  of  that  year.  In  a 
few  weeks  they  embarked  for  Burma.  Off  St.  Helena 
Mrs.  Judson  wrote  the  following  beautiful  tribute  to 
the  memory  of  Sarah  Boardman  Judson: 

Blow  softly,  gales!  a  tender  sigh 

Is  flung  upon  your  wing; 
Lose  not  the  treasure,  as  ye  fly, 
Bear  it  where  love  and  beauty  lie, 

Silent  and  withering. 

Flow  gently,  waves!  a  tear  is  laid 

Upon  your  heaving  breast ; 
Leave  it  within  yon  dark  rock's  shade, 
Or  weave  it  in  an  iris  braid, 

To  crown  the  Christian's  rest. 

Bloom,  ocean  isle!  lone  ocean  isle! 

Thou  keep'st  a  jewel  rare; 
Let  rugged  rock  and  dark  deflle 
Above  the  slumbering  stranger  smile, 

And  deck  her  couch  with  care. 

Weep,  ye  bereaved!  a  dearer  head 

Ke'er  left  the  pillowing  breast; 
The  good,  the  pure,  the  lovely  fled 
When,  mingling  with  the  shadowy  dead, 

She  meekly  went  to  rest. 

Mourn,  Burma,  mourn!  a  bow,  which  spanned 

Thy  cloud,  has  passed  away; 
A  flower  has  withered  on  thy  sand, 
A  pitying  spirit  left  thy  strand, 

A  saint  has  ceased  to  pray. 


398  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Angels,  rejoice!  another  string 

Has  caught  the  strains  above; 
Rejoice,  rejoice!  a  new-fledged  wing 
Around  the  throne  is  hovering, 

In  sweet,  glad,  wondering  love. 

Blow,  blow,  ye  gales!  wild  billows  roll! 

Unfurl  the  canvas  wide! 
Ou!  where  she  labored  lies  our  goal; 
Weak,  timid,  frail,  yet  would  my  soul 

Fain  be  to  hers  allied. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  arrived  at  Maulmain,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1846,  and  Dr.  Judson  re-entered  upon  his  mis- 
sionary labors.  He  found  in  Mrs.  Judson  an  efficient 
helper.  She  devoted  herself  at  first  to  the  work  of 
learning  the  language,  and  of  preparing  a  biography 
of  Sarah  Boardman  Judson. 

The  following  are  the  first  lines  of  a  poem  which 
was  addressed  by  Mrs.  Judson  to  a  missionary  friend 
in  Burma,  on  the  death  of  an  infant : 

A  mound  is  in  the  graveyard, 

A  short  and  narrow  bed, 
'No  grass  is  growing  on  it. 

And  no  marble  at  its  head ; 
Ye  may  go  and  weep  beside  it, 

Ye  may  kneel  and  kiss  the  sod, 
But  ye  '11  find  no  balm  for  sorrow. 

In  the  cold  and  silent  clod. 

December  24,  1847,  a  daughter,  Emily  Frances,  was 
born  at  Maulmain.  It  was  to  this  daughter  that  Mrs. 
Judson  addressed  the  beautiful  lines  entitled  "  My 
Bird,"  commencing 

Ere  last  year's  moon  had  left  the  sky, 

A  birdling  sought  my  Indian  nest. 
And  folded,  O,  so  lovingly, 

Her  tiny  wings  upon  my  breast. 

Mrs.  Judson' s  health  began  to  decline  soon  after,  and 
in  November,  1849,  Dr.  Judson  was  attacked  by  the 
disease  which  in  a  few  months  resulted  in  his  death. 


AXD  THEIR  HYMNS.  399 

It  was  after  Dr.  Judson  left  Maulmain  to  embark  on 
the  voyage  from  which  he  never  returned,  that  Mrs. 
Judson  wrote  the  tender  hues  to  her  mother,  com- 
mencinc? 

The  wild  southwest  monsoon  has  risen, 

On  broad  gray  wings  of  gloom, 
While  here  from  out  my  dreary  prison 
I  look  as  from  a  tomb  —  alas  I 

My  heart  another  tomb. 

Dr.  Judson  sailed  from  Maulmain,  April  3,  and  died 
at  sea,  April  12.  Ten  days  later,  and  before  the  sad 
tidings  had  reached  Maulmain,  Mrs.  Judson  gave  birth 
to  a  second  child,  Charles,  wdio  died  the  same  day  on 
which  he  was  born.  It  was  this  sorrow  that  occasioned 
the  lines  on  "  Angel  Charlie,"  commencing 

He  came  — a  beauteous  vision  — 

Then  vanished  from  my  sight. 
His  wing  one  moment  cleaving 

The  blackness  of  my  night; 
My  glad  ear  caught  its  rustle. 

Then,  sweeping  by,  he  stole 
The  dewdrop  that  his  coming 

Had  cherished  in  my  soul. 

Mrs.  Judson,  who  subsequently  returned,  with,  her 
daughter,  to  this  country,  died  at  Hamilton,  N.  Y., 
June  1,  1854. 


WILLIAM  C.  RICHARDS. 

1818  . 

Rev.  William  C.  Richaeds,  ph.d.,  was  born  in 
London,  England,  November  24,  1818.  His  father 
removed  to  the  LTnited  States  in  1831,  and  accepted 
the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Hudson,  N.  Y. 
The  son  united  with  his  father's  church  in  1833;  and 


400  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

in  the  following  year  he  entered  Hamilton  Literary 
and  Theological  Institution,  where  he  was  graduated 
in  1840.  For  about  ten  years  he  was  engaged  in  lit- 
erary and  educational  work  in  the  south.  In  1852,  he 
returned  to  the  north,  purposing  to  enter  the  minis- 
try. He  was  ordained  in  July,  1855,  and  for  awhile 
was  associate  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in 
Providence,  R.  I.  A  new  interest  was  soon  started, 
afterward  known  as  the  Brown  Street  Baptist  church. 
Of  this  church  Mr.  Richards  accepted  the  pastorate, 
and  with  it  he  remained  until  18G2,  wdien  on  account 
of  failing  health  he  resigned,  and  not  long  after  began 
to  give,  for  the  most  part  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.,  popular  lectures  on  physical  science, 
which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  with  the 
exception  of  three  years,  from  1865,  to  the  close  of 
1868,  when  he  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Pittsfield,  Mass.,  and  professor  of  chemistry  for  two 
years  in  the  Berkshire  Medical  College.  Since  1876, 
his  residence  has  been  in  Chicago,  111. 

Dr.  Richards'  literary  labors  have  been  varied  and 
long  continued.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a  con- 
tributor to  literary  and  religious  journals  and  maga- 
zines. Many  years  ago  he  published  "-Harry's  Vaca- 
tion," a  work  on  every-day  science  for  the  young. 
He  prepared  also  the  "Memoir  of  Gov.  Geo.  N. 
Briggs"  (1856).  Frequently  he  has  given  expression 
to  his  thoughts  in  verse,  and  he  has  published  several 
anniversary  and  commencement  poems,  among  them 
"Electron;  a  Telegraphic  Epic."  In  recent  years  he 
has  published  several  beautifully  illustrated  volumes 
of  sacred  verse,  among  them  "The  Lord  is  my  Shep- 
herd," of  which  Mr.  Spurgeon  says,  "I  have  laid  it  up 
among  my  treasures  of  art  and  song";  and  "The 
Mountain  Anthem,"  or  the  "Beatitudes  in  Rhythmic 
Echoes."  He  has  also  written  about  sixteen  poems 
on  rhythmical  words  of  our  Lord,  which,  with  others, 
he  purposes  to  publish  in   a  volume  under  the  title 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  401 

"Verba  Cliristi."  Of  hymns  he  has  written  a  large 
number,  some  for  special  occasions,  baptisms,  com- 
munions, etc.  One  of  these,  entitled  "Before  the 
Supper,"  is  here  given: 

O  happy  service  that  invites 

My  willing  feet  to  go 
Up  to  the  temple  of  delights 

"Where  heaven  begins  below. 

From  palaces  of  earthly  kings, 

Where  daintiest  feasts  are  spread, 
Fain  would  I  fly  on  love's  swift  wings, 
.     To  feed  on  heavenly  bread. 

No  Eschol  clusters,  large  and  fine, 

Could  turn  my  steps  aside, 
From  that  dear  feast  where  holy  wine 

Is  Calvary's  mystic  tide. 

For  bread  and  wine  the  Christ  reveal 

To  my  believing  eyes; 
In  their  clear  sighs  the  power  I  feel 

Of  his  great  sacrifice. 

O  happy  service  that  invites 

My  joyful  feet  to  go 
Up  to  the  temple  of  delights 

Where  heaven  is  felt  below. 


J.  H.  HANAFORD. 

1819 . 

J.  H.  Hanafoed,  M.D.,  was  born  in  New  Hamp- 
ton, N.  H.,  January  27,  1819.  His  education  he 
received  at  the  well  known  academy  in  his  native 
town.  For  awhile  he  devoted  himself  to  teaching, 
but  his  health  at  length  becoming  impaired,  he 
decided  to  study  medicine,  and  went  to  New  York  for 
26 


402  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

this  purpose.  After  graduation,  he  commenced  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  Nantucket,  Mass.,  where  he 
remained  six  years.  The  climate  not  proving  favora- 
ble, he  removed  to  Beverly,  Mass.,  and  subsequently 
to  Reading,  Mass.,  where  he  still  resides. 

Dr.  Hanaford  has  given  much  attention  to  liter- 
ary work.  He  is  the  author  of  a  number  of  books, 
"Mother  and  Child,"  etc.,  and  is  now  (1887)  assisting 
in  the  preparation  of  a  history  of  his  native  town. 
In  1848,  he  published  a  collection  of  hymns  for  sea- 
men, entitled  "Ocean  Melodies,"  and  furnished  for  it 
nineteen  hymns  of  his  own  composition.  The  second 
edition  of  this  collection,  with  additions,  was  brought 
out  by  Rev.  Phineas  Stowe.  The  following  hymn  by 
Dr.  Hanaford  is  from    "Ocean  Melodies": 

Great  God,  at  thy  command, 

We  launch  upon  the  deep; 
O  guide  us  in  our  devious  way, 

Our  souls  in  safety  keep. 

When  dangers  round  us  crowd, 

And  toils  our  course  attend, 
Be  thou  our  help,  our  sure  defence, 

Our  everlasting  Friend. 

Should  stormy  winds  arise, 

And  tempests  madly  beat, 
O  grant  us  grace  to  trust  in  thee, 

And  near  the  mercy-seat. 

And  though  in  distant  climes, 

O'er  Imaging  seas  we  ride, 
"VVe  trust  in  thee,  thou  gracious  God, 

Our  Savior  and  our  Guide. 

And  should  our  fragile  bark 

To  ocean's  depths  be  hurled, 
O  may  we  reach  a  sheltering  port, 

A  fairer,  brighter  world. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  403 

MARIA  FRANCES  ANDERSON. 

1819  . 

Mrs.  Maria  Frances  Anderson,  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  F.  Hill,  of  Exeter,  England,  was  born  in  Paris, 
France,  January  30,  1819.  In  1845,  she  was  baptized 
at  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  by  Rev.  William  Shadrach,  d.d., 
and  united  with  the  Grant  Street  Baptist  church,  of 
which  Dr.  Shadrach  was  at  that  time  pastor.  In  April, 
1847,  she  was  married  to  Rev.  George  W.  Anderson, 
D.D.,  of  Philadelphia. 

Mrs.  Anderson  is  the  author  of  a  Sunday-school 
book  "Jessie  Carey"  (1853),  and  "The  Baptists  in 
Sweden"  (1861).  A  home  mission  hymn,  Avritten  by 
Mrs.  Anderson  in  1849,  is  in  many  of  our  best  collec- 
tions. Dr.  George  B.  Ide,  then  pastor  of  the  First 
Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia,  had  seen  some  of  Mrs. 
Anderson's  poetical  productions  in  the  Christian 
Chronicle,  and  as  he  "v\dshed  to  have  a  home  mission 
hymn  in  the  "  Baptist  Harp"  which  he  was  then  com- 
piling, he  asked  her  if  she  would  write  one  in  the 
same  measure  as  Bishop  Heber's 

From  Greenland's  icy  mountains. 

Mrs.  Anderson  acceded  to  his  request,  and  her  hymn 
was  suno;  for  the  first  time  at  a  home  mission  meetino- 
in  the  First  Baptist  church,  Philadelphia.  Dr.  B.  M. 
Hill,  corresponding  secretary  of  the  American  Baptist 
Home  Mission  Society,  who  was  present,  and  read  the 
hymn,  introduced  it  with  the  remark,  "  We  will  now 
sing  a  home  mission  hymn  written  by  a  lady  of  this 
city,  and  just  published  in  the  'Baptist  Harp.'  "  The 
hymn,  as  it  appeared  in  this  collection,  is  as  follows : 

Our  country's  voice  is  pleading, 

Ye  men  of  God,  arise! 
His  providence  is  leading, 

The  land  before  you  lies. 


404  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Day  gleams  are  o'er  it  brightening 

And  promise  clothes  the  soil; 
Wide  fields  for  harvests  whitening, 

Invite  the  reaj^ers'  toil. 

Go  where  the  waves  are  breaking 

On  California's  shore, 
Chrisfs  precious  gospel  taking, 

More  rich  than  golden  ore; 
On  Alleghany's  mountains, 

Through  all  the  western  vale, 
Beside  Missouri's  fountains, 

Kehearse  the  wonderous  tale. 

Where  prairie  flowers  are  blooming, 

Plant  Sharon's  fairer  rose; 
The  farthest  wilds  illuming, 

AVith  light  that  ever  glows; 
To  each  lone  forest  ranger. 

The  Word  of  Life  unseal; 
To  every  exile  stranger, 

It's  saving  truths  reveal. 

The  love  of  Christ  unfolding, 

Speed  on  from  east  to  west. 
Till  all,  his  cross  beholding. 

In  him  are  fully  blest. 
Great  Author  of  salvation. 

Haste,  haste  the  glorious  day. 
When  we, a  ransomed  nation. 

Thy  sceptre  shall  obey. 

In  the  "  Calvary  Selection  "  (892)  and  the  "  Baptist 
Hymnal "  (594)  this  hymn  has  three  stanzas,  the  third 
given  above  being  omitted.  In  the  "  Baptist  Harp  " 
Mrs.  Anderson  has  another  hymn  (112)  commencing, 

Yes,  she  is  gone,  yet  do  not  thou 
The  goodness  of  the  Lord  distrust. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  405 

FREDERIC  DENISON. 

1819 . 

Rev.  Frederic  Denison  is  a  native  of  Stoning- 
ton,  Conn.,  where  he  was  born  September  28,  1819. 
He  was  graduated  at  Brown  University  in  1847,  and 
was  ordained  in  the  same  year  as  pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Westerly,  R.  I.  This  church  he  served 
in  two  pastorates  fifteen  years.  He  was  afterward 
pastor  of  the  Central  Baptist  church  in  Norwich, 
Conn.,  and  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Central  Falls,  R. 
I.  During  the  civil  war  he  was  chaplain  of  the  First 
Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  and  the  Third  Rhode  Island 
Heavy  Artillery,  serving  three  years.  After  the  war, 
he  had  pastorates  in  Westerl}-,  R.  I.,  New  Haven, 
Conn.,  Woonsocket,  and  Providence,  R.  I.  In  recent 
years  he  has  devoted  himself  to  literary  work. 
Among  the  writings  he  has  published  are  the  follow- 
ing: "The  Sabbath  Institution"  (1855);  "Notes  of 
the  Baptists  and  their  Principles,  in  Norwich,  Conn." 
(1857);  "The  Supper  Institution"  (1860);  "The 
Evangelist,  or  Life  and  Labors  of  Rev.  Jabez  S. 
Swan"  (1873);  "Sabres  and  Spurs,  or  History  of  the 
First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry"  (1876);  "Westerly,  and 
its  Witnesses  for  Two  Hundred  and  Fifty  Years" 
(1878);  and  "Shot  and  Shell,  or  History  of  the  Third 
Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery"  (1879).  He  has  also 
published  several  sermons,  orations,  and  memorial 
addresses,  and  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  the 
secular  and  religious  press. 

Mr.  Denison  is  also  the  author  of  an  ode,  on  the 
unveiling,  in  1885,  of  the  painting  of  the  arrival  of 
Roger  Williams  with  the  first  charter  of  Rhode 
Island;  an  ode  on  the  centennial  of  the  capture  of 
General  Prescott;  an  ode  at  the  French  Memorial  in 
1882;  an  ode  at  the  unveiling  of  the  soldiers'  and 
sailors'  monument,  in  South  Kingston,  R.  I.,  in  1886; 


406  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

an  ode  at  the  dedication  of  the  memorial  of  Col.  John 
S.  Slocum,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  in  1886;  a  poem  on 
the  Baptist  pioneers  of  Groton,  Conn.,  in  1887;  also 
many  other  occasional  poems.     One  of  his  hymns, 

Forward,  brave  men  to  the  battle, 

is  in  "The  Gospel  Hymn  Book."  He  has  also  hymns 
in  '^ Welcome  Tidings"  and  "Glorious  Tidings,"  and 
among  them  the  following: 

Bethesda  is  open,  the  angel  has  come, 

The  Spirit  is  calling  for  thee ; 
The  waters  are  troubled,  behold,  there  is  room; 

Salvation  through  Jesus  is  free. 

Come,  press  to  the  waters  while  mercy  is  here. 

Accept  of  a  cleansing  complete ; 
O  hear  the  entreaty,  — dismissing  your  fear, 

Lo!  judgment  and  mercy  now  meet. 

The  house  of  Bethesda  for  sinners  was  built, 

The  pool  is  a  fountain  of  love; 
The  waters  are  troubled  for  cancelling  guilt, 

And  still  for  our  healing  they  move. 

Then  come  to  the  fountain,  ye  needy  and  lost, 

Come  now  while  the  Savior  is  nigh; 
This  grace  has  been  purchased  at  infinite  cost; 

And  they  that  reject  it  must  die. 


JAMES  TUPPER. 

1819-1868. 

Mr.  Tupper  was  born  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  Decem- 
ber 9,  1819.  In  early  life  he  received  permanent 
religious  impressions,  and  when  sixteen  years  of  age 
he  united  with  the  First  Baptist  church  in  his  native 
city.  A  few  years  later  he  received  a  license  to 
preach,  but  as  it  was  his  purpose   to   engage  in  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  407 

profession  of  law  he  was  not  ordained.  When  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  His 
progress  in  his  profession  was  rapid.  He  was  early 
elected  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  from 
which  he  received  an  appointment  as  master  in  equity, 
and  held  the  position  through  life.  For  a  while  also, 
he  was  auditor  of  the  state,  filling  the  office  alike  with 
honor  to  himself  and  to  those  whom  he  served.  In 
all  his  trusts  he  was  faithful,  and  in  everything  he 
adorned  his  religion.  Prominent  in  Sunday-school  work, 
he  was  never  so  happy  as  in  leading  the  young  along 
the  paths  of  wisdom  and  virtue.  His  life  was  one  of 
earnest,  consecrated  effort,  and  having  served  his  gen- 
eration with  all  fidelity  he  fell  asleep  at  Summerville, 
S.  C,  August  28,  1868. 

Mr.  Tupper  was  the  author  of  hymn  155  in  "  The 
Baptist  Psalmody,"  from  which  it  has  been  transferred 
to  other  collections.     The  hymn  is  as  follows  : 

Dark  was  the  hour,  when  Jesus  bore 

The  sorrows  of  Gethsemane; 
Strong  was  the  grief,  which  caused  to  flow 

His  bloody  sweat  of  agony. 

He  came  with  fallen  man  to  dwell, 

And  suffer  in  his  guilty  stead ; 
He  came,  and  now  God's  anger  fell 

Unmixed  upon  his  sinless  head. 

O,  hear  the  fainting  Sufferer  pray, 

As  all  the  powers  of  nature  sink, — 
"  O,  Father,  take  this  cup  away, 

The  bitter  cup,  alone,  I  drink." 

"  Yet  not  my  will,"  he  humbly  cries 

"  Thine,  Father,  be  as  ever  done." 
Amazing  wonder!  heaven  denies 

The  prayer  of  its  own  Holy  One. 

It  could  not  pass,  for  he  alone 

Was  strong  to  suffer  and  to  save; 
By  him,  in  blood,  our  sins  were  borne, 

And  death  he  conquered  in  the  grave. 


408  BAPTIST  HYMN  WEITERS 

KAZLITT  ARVINE. 

1819-1851. 

Bev.  Kazlitt  Aevine  is  well  known  as  the  author 
of  a  "  Cyclopasdia  of  Moral  and  Religious  Anecdotes," 
and  a  "Cyclopaedia  of  Anecdotes  of  Literature  and 
the  Fine  Arts."  He  was  born  in  Centreville,  Alle- 
gany County,  N.  Y.,  December  18,  1819.  Having 
pursued  preparatory  studies,  he  entered  "Wesleyan 
University,  at  Middletown,  Conn.,  where  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1841.  In  1842,  he  entered  Newton  Theolog- 
ical Institution.  In  the  catalogue  for  1842-3,  his 
name  appears  as  Silas  W.  Palmer.  While  he  was  at 
Newton  his  name  was  changed  to  Kazlitt  Arvine  by 
an  act  of  the  Massachusetts  legislature.  Mr.  Arvine 
was  a  very  zealous  abolitionist,  and  during  his 
theological  course  he  became  secretary  of  the  "Pro- 
visional Committee,"  which  afterward  gave  way  to 
the  Free  Mission  Society.  He  was  very  popular  as  a 
preacher,  and  supplied  the  pulpit  of  the  First  Baptist 
church,  Boston,  in  the  summer  of  1843,  while  pastor 
Neale  was  in  Europe.  He  was  graduated .  at  Newton 
in  1845,  and  November  6,  1845,  he  was  ordained  as 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Woonsocket,  R.  I. 
Rev.  N.  Colver,  of  Boston,  preached  the  sermon, "and 
John  G.  Whittier  wrote  for  the  occasion  a  hymn  of 
seven  stanzas,  commencing 

A  strength  thy  service  cannot  tire, 
A  faith  which  doubt  can  never  dim, 

A  heart  of  love,  a  lip  of  fire, 

O  Freedom's  God!  be  thou  to  him. 

Mr.  Arvine  remained  in  Woonsocket  two  years. 
He  then  became  pastor  of  what  was  known  as  the 
Providence  church  in  New  York.  A  tendency  to  con- 
sumption had  already  developed,  and  on  account  of 
failint*-  strength  he  was  obliged  to  resign  in  a  few 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  409 

months.  His  health  having  been  in  part  restored,  he 
accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  West  Boylston,  Mass.  But  he  soon  again  began  to 
decline,  and  he  died  at  East  Brookfield,  Mass.,  July 
15,  1851,  greatly  beloved  by  the  people  whom  he 
served. 

Mr.  Arvine  in  early  life  achieved  some  reputation 
as  a  poet,  and  later  he  published  a  volume  of  poems. 
The  following  hymn,  written  by  him,  was  sung  at  his 
ordination : 

Tar  and  wide,  in  mercy  great, 

Lord,  make  known  thy  Word,  which  flings 
O'er  our  sad  and  darkened  state, 

Joy  and  sunshine  from  its  wings; 
Grace  for  guilt,  it  bids  us  crave, 

Hope  for  fear,  and  peace  for  strife; 
And,  through  Jesus'  trusting  grace, 

Opens  up  our  way  to  life. 

Lord,  increase  and  bless,  we  pray, 

Those  who  teach  thy  gospel's  plan; 
Oh,  vouchsafe  them,  day  by  day, 

Power  with  God,  and  power  with  man; 
"While  they  're  echoing  thy  will, 

'Mid  the  wrecks  of  sin  and  death. 
Spirit,  come,  the  slain  to  fill 

With  thy  resurrection  breath. 

Round  her  leaders,  bring  thy  church 

All  to  conflict,  armed  with  prayer; 
Then  ere  long,  shall  victory  perch 

On  the  banner-cross  they  bear; 
Then  shall  Zion's  light  go  forth 

Brighter  than  the  noonday  sun; 
Christ  shall  come  and  reign  on  earth, 

Making  all  its  kingdoms  one. 

In  Dr.  John  Bowling's  "  Conference  Hymns " 
(1849),  Mr.  Arvine  has  a  hymn  entitled  "The  Victor 
Vanquished,"  commencing 

"  Thou  must  go  with  me,"  said  the  Terror-king. 


410  BAPTIST  HlTklN  WRITERS 

LUCY  S.  (HILL)  DOUGHERTY. 

1822-1847. 

"WTien  floating  on  life's  troubled  sea, 

By  storms  and  tempests  driven, 
Hope,  with  her  radiant  finger,  points 

To  brighter  scenes  in  heaven. 

She  bids  the  storms  of  life  to  cease. 

The  troubled  breast  be  calm; 
And  in  the  wounded  heart  she  poui's 

Religion's  liealing  balm. 

Her  hallowed  influence  cheers  life's  hours 

Of  sadness  and  of  gloom; 
She  guides  us  through  this  vale  of  tears 

To  joys  beyond  the  tomb. 

And  when  our  fleeting  days  are  o'er, 

And  life's  last  hour  draws  near, 
With  still  unwearied  wing  she  hastes 

To  wipe  the  falling  tear. 

She  bids  the  anguished  heart  rejoice; 

Though  earthly  ties  are  riven. 
We  still  may  hope  to  meet  again 

In  3'onder  peaceful  heaven. 

This  hymn  was  published  anonymously  in  the 
Christian  Watchman,  October  31,  1839.  Rev.  S.  F. 
Smith,  D.D.,  subsequently  included  it  in  "  The  Psalm- 
ist" (1843),  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  compilers. 
In  the  first  edition  it  was  marked  "  anon,"  but  the 
authorship  of  the  hymn  was  afterward  made  known 
to  Dr.  Baron  Stow,  Dr.  Smith's  associate  in  the  prep- 
aration of  the  "  Psalmist,"  and  the  pastor  of  the 
writer  of  the  hymn,  and  in  all  subsequent  editions  the 
name  L.  S.  Hill  has  been  added.  The  hymn  has  been 
transferred  to  many  later  collections. 

Lucy  Simonds  Hill  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June 
17,  1822.  From  a  child  she  was  thoughtful  and 
conscientious,  obedient  to   her  parents,  kind-hearted, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  411 

truthful  and  studious.  In  1839,  having  been  led  to 
accept  Christ  as  her  Savior,  she  was  baptized  by  Rev. 
Baron  Stow,  and  united  with  the  Baldwin  Place 
Baptist  churcli  in  Boston.  In  her  religious  life  she 
received  counsel  and  assistance  from  her  mother  and 
elder  sister,  Abby  S.  Another  sister,  Harriet  E.,  who 
was  two  years  younger,  should  also  be  mentioned,  for 
a  sketch  of  one  could  hardly  be  written  without  a 
reference  to  the  other.  Both  were  detained  from 
entering  the  grammar  school  till  beyond  the  usual  age 
for  admission.  But  these  years  of  home  service  were 
not  passed  unimproved,  the  elder  sister,  a  diligent 
scholar,  directing  their  studies,  though  with  meagre 
facilities  in  the  way  of  books.  The  two  sisters  at 
length  entered  the  Bowdoin  school,  and  from  it  they 
were  graduated  at  the  same  age  as  their  more  favored 
classmates,  Harriet  having  the  valedictory,  a  poem 
which  was  published  in  the  Advertiser  by  the  school 
committee.  After  leaving  school,  Lucy  added  to  her 
acquirements  a  knowledge  of  Latin  and  French,  pur- 
suino;  these  studies  at  home  without  a  tutor.  She  also 
took  lessons  in  vocal  and  instrumental  music,  and 
continued  the  study  of  English  composition  and  math- 
ematics, ^\ith  the  purpose  of  becoming  a  teacher  of 
these  branches.  The  death  of  her  sister  Harriet  in 
1841,  and  that  of  her  father  in  1842,  were  sore 
bereavements.  Near  the  close  of  1842,  by  the  advice 
of  friends,  she  accepted  a  position  as  teacher  in  a 
private  family  on  a  plantation  in  Mississippi,  and 
reached  her  destination  February  12,  1845.  Accept- 
ably she  filled  this  position  for  a  while,  but  finally, 
with  the  approval  of  her  family  and  friends,  she  was 
married  to  Captain  WilHam  D.  Dougherty,  of  St.  Louis. 
The  union  was  a  happy  one,  but  was  soon  terminated 
by  the  death  of  Mrs.  Dougherty,  which  occurred  May 
21,  1847.     Her  husband  died  about  two  years  later. 

Beside    the    hymn   given    above,    Mrs.    Dougherty 
wrote   numerous   other  hymns   and  poems,  many  of 


412  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

which  were  jDiiblished  in  the  newspapers  and  magazines 
of  the  day,  among  them 

"  There  are  moments,  peaceful  moments," 

*'  Evening's  hallowed  minstrelsy," 

"  There  is  a  land  of  pleasure," 

"  They  come  when  fearful  thoughts  oppress," 

"  I  thank  thee.  Father,  source  of  bliss." 

The  following  lines  were  written  in  1840,  by  Mrs. 
Dougherty's  sister  Harriet,  who  shared  her  poetic  gift: 

When  morn's  first  scented  breeze 

Shatters  the  night-gems  on  the  lily's  breast. 

Go,  thou  whose  brow  ne'er  wore  the  wreath  of  ease: 
Nature  for  thee  has  rest. 

When  high  through  heaven's  blue  field 

Apollo  wheels  his  car  in  circling  flight. 
Go,  thou  whose  smiles  to  shades  of  grief  ne'er  yield: 

For  thee  bright  beams  the  light. 

When  twilight  claims  the  hour, 

The  shadowy  hour  of  breezy  minstrelsy, 
■  Go,  thou  whos§  heart  is  sad,  and  feel  the  power 
Of  Nature's  sympathy. 

When  night,  on  ebon  wing, 
Hangs  out  her  jewels  in  the  dusky  heaven. 

Go,  child  of  gloom,  to  thee  shall  Nature  bring 
The  balm  to  misery  given. 

Nature  has  sympathy 

For  every  child  that  walks  the  fields  of  earth, 
The  hour  of  sadness,  and  the  hour  of  glee, 

For  grief,  and  joyous  mirth. 

The  eldest  sister,  Abby,  possessed  the  same  gift,  and 
a  hymn  was  published  hy  her  in  the  Watchman  and 
Reflector,  commencing 

When  weary  with  the  toils  of  life 
Or  filled  with  anguish,  grief,  or  pain, 

'T  is  sweet  to  think  that  death  is  near 
If  we  can  say  "  To  die  is  gain." 

This  hymn  was  composed  after  hearing  a  sermon 
from  the  text  "  To  die  is  gain." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  413 

DANIEL  C.  EDDY. 

1823  . 

Rev.  Daniel  C.  Eddy,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Salem, 
Mass.,  May  21,  1823,  and  when  nineteen  years  of  age 
he  united  with  the  First  Baptist  church  in  that  city. 
On  the  completion  of  his  literary  and  theological  stud- 
ies, he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First 
Baptist  church  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  and  was  ordained  in 
January,  1846.  He  remained  in  Lowell  ten  years, 
and  during  this  time  he  baptized  six  hundred  and  thir- 
ty-seven converts,  and  one  tliousand  and  five  new 
members  were  added  to  the  church.  In  1854,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts, 
and  at  the  organization  of  the  house  of  representa- 
tives he  was  chosen  speaker.  This  honorable  position 
he  filled  so  acceptably  that  at  the  close  of  the  session 
he  received  a  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  for  his 
promptness,  ability,  and  urbanity.  In  1856,  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Harvard  Street 
Baptist  church,  Boston,  and  here,  as  in  Lowell,  large 
audiences  were  attracted  by  his  preaching,  and  large 
additions  were  made  to  the  membership  of  the  church. 
In  1862,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Tabernacle  Baptist 
church,  in  Philadelphia,  and  after  two  years  of  service 
he  returned  to  Boston,  as  pastor  of  the  Baldwin  Place 
Baptist  church,  which  subsequently  gave  up  its  old 
place  of  worship,  and  erected  a  new  church  edifice  on 
Warren  Avenue.  From  Boston,  in  1871,  Dr.  Eddy 
was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church 
in  Fall  River,  Mass.  In  1873,  he  again  returned  to 
Boston,  and  was  engaged  in  the  erection  of  a  new 
church  at  the  south  end ;  but  the  enterprise,  for  vari- 
ous reasons,  was  at  length  abandoned,  and  in  1877, 
Dr.  Eddy  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Hyde  Park,  Mass.  In  1881,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the 
pastorate  of    the  First  Baptist  church,  east  district, 


414  BAPTIST  HYMN'  WRITERS 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y..,  where  he  still  (1888)  remains.  The 
church  has  erected  a  new  house  of  worship,  and  is 
prospering  under  Dr.  Eddy's  leadership. 

The  degree  of  master  of  arts  Avas  conferred  upon 
Dr.  Eddy  by  Harvard  College  in  1855.  Madison  Uni- 
versity, in  1856,  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of 
doctor  of  divinity. 

Throughout  his  ministry  Dr.  Eddy  has  devoted 
himself  to  authorship.  Several  of  his  books  have  had 
a  very  large  circulation,  especially  his  "  Lectures  to 
Young  Men,"  "Young  Women's  Friend,"  ''Heroines 
of  the  Missionary  Enterprise,"  "Angel  Whispers,"  and 
"The  Burman  Apostle."  His  story  books,  and  books 
of  travel  for  the  young,  have  been  equally  successful. 
He  has  also  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  denom- 
inational press.  Dr.  Eddy  has  given  much  attention 
to  hymnology,  and  is  the  author  of  several  occasional 
hymns,  among  them, 

God  of  the  nations!  from  thy  throne, 

and  another  of  four  stanzas,  each  stanza  commencing 
with  a  line  from  the  doxology. 

Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow. 

The  following  dedication  hymn  by  Dr.  Eddy  has  a 
place  in  the  "Baptist  Praise  Book"  (1874) : 

Maker  of  land  and  rolling  sea, 
We  dedicate  this  house  to  thee; 
And  what  our  willing  hands  have  done, 
We  give  to  God  and  to  the  Son. 

Come  fill  this  house  with  heavenly  grace, 
While  sinners  throng  the  heavenly  place, 
And  saints  below  with  saints  above, 
Unite  to  sing  redeeming  love. 

Hei-e  let  the  cross  be  lifted  high 
Before  a  world  condemned  to  die: 
Here  flow  the  blood  of  sacrifice, 
To  hush  the  Law's  avenging  cries. 


AKD  THEIR  HYMNS.  415 

Here  let  the  mourning  soul  find  rest 
Upon  the  Savior's  loving  breast; 
And  with  the  sense  of  sins  forgiven, 
Each  heart  aspire  to  God  and  heaven. 

Long  may  this  sacred  temple  be  % 

A  monument  of  praise  to  thee; 
And  when  to  this  no  more  we  come, 
Be  heaven  our  high,  eternal  home. 

Dr.  Eddy  has  nearly  ready  for  publication   a  hymn 
book  entitled  "  The  Memorial  Hymnal." 


J.  WHEATON  SMITH. 

1823  . 

Rev.  J.  Wheaton  Smith,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  June  26,  1823.  When  he  was  ten  years 
of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Calais,  Me.,  and  there, 
two  years  later,  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  James 
Huckins,  and  united  with  the  Calais  Baptist  church,  of 
which  his  father  was  a  deacon.  In  1844,  he  entered 
Brown  University,  and  was  graduated  in  1848,  receiv- 
ing the  Jackson  premium  for  the  best  essay  on  moral 
philosophy.  Entering  Newton  Theological  Institution, 
he  was  graduated  in  1851.  March  30,  of  that  year,  and 
while  a  student  at  Newton,  he  was  ordained  pastor  of 
the  Worthen  Street  Baptist  church,  Lowell,  Mass.  In 
1853,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Spruce  Street  Baptist 
church,  Philadelphia.  Here  he  remained  until  1870, 
when  with  a  colony  from  that  church  he  organized 
the  Beth  Eden  Baptist  church,  corner  of  Broad  and 
Spruce  Streets.  Here  he  remained  as  pastor  until 
1880,  when  impaired  health  induced  him  to  tender  his 
resignation.  Since  that  time,  while  making  Philadel- 
phia his  home,  he  has  supplied  churches  in  Montreal 


416  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

and  elsewhere,  and  has  continued  his  usefulness  in  the 
management  of  important  secular  and  religious  trusts. 
He  received,  in  1862,  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity 
from  the  University  of  Lewisburgh,  now  Bucknell 
University. 

Dr.  Smith  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  the 
religious  press.  He  is  also  the  author  of  the  "  Life  of 
John  P.  Crozer"  (1868).  In  "The  Devotional  Hymn 
and  Tune  Book  "  he  has  the  following  hymn : 

'Tis  sweet  in  the  trials  of  conflict  and  sin, 
Temptation  witliout  and  temptation  within, 
To  know  through  the  journey  of  life  as  I  roam, 
I  am  bound  for  the  mansions  of  glory  at  home. 

'T  is  sweet  in  the  gloom  of  earth's  sorrow    or  fears, 
My  eyes  overflowing  with  penitent  tears, 
To  know,  though  the  billows  around  me  may  foam, 
I  am  bound  for  the  mansions  of  glory  at  home. 

I  ask  not  to  hasten  from  duty  or  care, 
The  troubles  of  life  let  me  patiently  bear, 
If  only  I  know  as  I  look  through  the  gloom, 
I  am  bound  for  the  mansions  of  glory  at  home. 

When  all  earthly  conflicts  and  trials  are  o'er, 
When  sin  and  temptation  beset  me  no  more, 
Still  trusting  in  Jesus,  I  '11  welcome  the  tomb, 
For  I  'm  bound  for  the  mansions  of  glory  at  home. 


EDWIN  T.  WINKLER. 

1823-1883. 

Rev.  Edwik  Theodore  Winkler,  d.d.,  was  born 
in  Savannah,  Ga.,  November  13,  1823.  Having  pur- 
sued preparatory  studies  in  Chatham  Academy,  Savan- 
nah, he  entered  Brown  University,  Providence,  R.  I., 
where  he  was  graduated  in  1843,     It  was  his  purpose 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  417 

to  engage  in  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and 
he  commenced  a  course  of  theological  study  in  New- 
ton Theological  Institution.  He  remained  at  Newton 
two  years,  and  then  returned  to  the  south,  where  he 
became  assistant  editor  of  the  Christian  Index,  and 
supplied  the  pulpit  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Columbia, 
Ga.,  for  six  months.  In  1846,  he  was  ordained  as  pas- 
tor of  the  Baptist  church  in  Gillisonville,  S.  C,  where 
he  remained  three  years.  In  1852,  he  removed  to 
Charleston,  S.  C,  and  became  editor  of  the  Southern 
Baptist,  and  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Southern 
Baptist  Publication  Society.  In  1854,  he  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in 
Charleston,  and  with  the  exception  of  service  as  chap- 
lain in  the  confederate  army  during  the  civil  war,  he 
remained  in  this  position  until  1872,  when  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Marion,  Ala.  In  1874, 
in  addition  to  his  pastorate,  he  assumed  the  editorship 
of  the  Alabama  Baptist,  and  these  two  positions  he 
held  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Marion,  Novem- 
ber 10,  1883. 

Dr.  Winkler  was  a  man  of  broad  and  generous  cul- 
ture. He  was  also  an  accomplished  speaker,  and  was 
often  invited  to  preach  on  special  occasions,  and  to 
address  literary  societies.  In  1871,  he  preached  a 
memorable  sermon  on  the  education  of  the  colored 
ministry  before  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission 
Society,  and  in  1876,  he  delivered  a  centennial  dis- 
course at  Newton  Theological  Institution.  In  1858, 
Furman  University  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of 
doctor  of  divinity. 

Dr.  Winkler  was  the  author  of  an  essay  on  "The 
Spirit  of  Missions,  the  Spirit  of  Christ,"  and  another 
on  "The  Sphere  of  the  Ministry."  In  1855,  at  the 
request  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Publication  Society, 
he  compiled  "The  Sacred  Lute,  a  Collection  of  Popu- 
lar Hymns."  In  this  book  he  aimed  to  bring  together 
the  best  of  the  spiritual  songs  which  the  Baptists  of 
27 


418  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

the  south  were  wont  to  sing  in  social  meetings  and 
religious  awakenings.  The  collection  contained  seven 
hymns  by  the  compiler,  and  four  hundred  and  sixteen 
hymns  in  all.  A  new  and  enlarged  edition,  but  with 
so  many  changes  that  it  was  entitled  to  be  regarded 
as  a  new  book,  was  issued  in  1860.  This  edition  con- 
tained eight  hymns  by  Dr.  Winkler.  The  first  lines 
are 

"  Lord,  Lord,  my  heart  rejoicing," 

"  O  sinner,  idly  dreaming," 

"  Aloft  to  heaven  our  hope  ascends," 

"  Long  did  the  scenes  of  Jerusalem  languish," 

"  To  earth  descend,  O  Holy  Dove," 

"  Behold  the- light  in  heaven," 

"  Now  in  this  consecrated  place," 

"  Our  land  with  mercies  crowned." 

Some  of  these  hymns  have  been  transferred  to  other 
collections.  They  are  not  all  of  equal  excellence. 
Perhaps  the  best  hymn  is  the  following : 

O  sinner,  idly  dreaming 

The  hours  of  life  away, 
While  fainter  grows  the  beaming 

Of  mercy's  precious  day. 
Soon  —  spent  their  little  number  — 

The  night  of  death  may  break. 
And  thou  bewail  thy  slumber; 

O  spell-bound  sinner,  wake  I 

As  the  fleet  eagle,  darting 

With  all  his  might  of  wing, 
As  the  swift  arrow,  starting 

From  the  resounding  string, 
So  moments  of  probation 

Their  quick  departure  take; 
If  thou  wouldst  win  salvation, 

O  spell-bound  sinner,  wakel 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  419 

Time  flies  to  reach  the  ending 

Of  all  thy  hopeful  years, 
To  meet  the  Judge,  descending 

Along  the  darkened  spheres ; 
O,  if  that  dreadful  morrow 

Thy  dream  of  life  shall  break, 
Vain,  vain  will  be  thy  sorrow; 

Then,  spell-bound  sinner,  wake  I 

Today  the  soft  sky  o'er  thee 

Still  shines  with  gracious  blue, 
Today  the  work  before  thee 

Thou  mayst  with  ardor  do; 
Thou  mayst  receive  God's  Spirit, 

And  for  thy  Savior's  sake. 
Eternal  life  inherit; 

O  spell-bound  sinner,  wake! 


THOMAS  L.  BAILEY. 

1824  . 

Eev.  Thomas  L.  Bailey  is  the  author  of  a  large 
number  of  hymns  which  have  appeared  in  various 
Sunday-school  hymn  books,  "  Welcome  Tidings," 
^'  The  Garner,"  etc,  etc.     One  of  his  hymns, 

Come,  talk  to  me  of  Jesus, 

is  in  "The  Gospel  Hymn  and  Tune  Book"  (1879), 
pubHshed  by  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society. 
The  following  hymn,  by  Mr.  Bailey,  is  from  "  The 
Garner  " : 

No  night  in  heaven,  eternal  day; 
No  gloom  is  there,  no  need  to  pray; 
No  life  to  lose,  no  hopes  to  raise. 
But  all,  yes  all,  is  endless  praise. 

No  night  in  heaven,  no  dark'ning  sky; 
No  clouds  arise,  no  tempests  fly, 
No  thunders  roll,  no  lightnings  blaze, 
But  all,  yes  all,  is  endless  praise. 


420  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

No  night  in  heaven,  and  yet  no  sun; 
No  moon  is  there  her  course  to  run ; 
No  changing  scenes  to  mark  the  days, 
Where  all,  yes  all,  is  endless  praise. 

No  night  in  heaven,  God's  light  alone 
In  glory  shines  around  his  throne 
There  to  the  Lamb,  in  joyous  lays, 
The  hosts  of  heaven  give  endless  praise. 

Mr.  Bailey  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  March 
2,  1824.  liis  parents  were  members  of  the  Society 
of  Friends.  Soon  after  his  marriage  in  1856,  he  made 
his  home  in  Chester  County,  where  he  was  actively 
engaged  in  Sunday-school  work.  In  1869,  he  united 
with  the  Baptist  church  at  West  Chester.  In  the 
following  year  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  having 
been  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Marlton,  N.  J.,  he  was  ordained  in  that  place  in  1871. 
Several  times  he  has  been  obliged  to  relinquish  his 
pastoral  labors  on  account  of  impaired  health  ;  and  at 
the  present  time  (1887)  he  is  withdrawn  from  the 
service  of  the  ministry,  with  the  exception  of  occa- 
sional preaching.     He  resides  at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J, 


RICHARD  S.  JAMES. 

1824  . 

Rev.  Richard  S.  James,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Phila- 
delphia, Penn.,  June  18,  1824.  He  was  educated  at 
Brown  University  and  Columbian  College,  and  began 
to  preach  when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  In 
1859,  he  was  ordained,  and  for  nine  years  he  was 
pastor  at  Camden  and  Marlton,  N.  J.  Subsequently 
he  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  West  Newton, 
Mass.,    and  of  the    Market  Street  Baptist   church   in 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  •  421 

Zanesville,  Ohio.  He  then  accepted  a  professorship  in 
Hillsdale  College,  Mich.  Afterward  he  was  principal 
of  Oak  Grove  Academy,  at  Medina,  Mich.  In  1880, 
he  became  president  of  Judson  University,  at  Judsonia, 
Ark.  On  account  of  a  burdensome  debt  the  univer- 
sity vv^as  at  length  closed,  and  Dr.  James  accepted  the 
presidency  of  Buckner  College,  at  Witcherville,  Sebas- 
tian County,  Ark.,  an  institution  established  by  the 
Baptists  of  western  Arkansas  and  Indian  Territory, 
and  named  in  honor  of  Dr.  Buckner,  who  for  thirty- 
five  years  was  a  devoted  missionary  of  the  Southern 
Board  to  the  Indians. 

Dr.  James  is  the  author  of  several  hymns.     One, 
commencing 

How  sadly  flow  the  waters 
From  China's  clouded  hills, 

was  written  by  Dr.  James  in  his  senior  year  at  Colum- 
bian College  for  the  farewell  services  held  on  the 
departure  of  Rev.  J.  L.  Shuck,  Rev.  T.  W.  Tobey,  and 
Dr.  James'  oldest  brother,  Dr.  J.  Sexton  James,  as 
missionaries  of  the  Southern  Board  to  China.  An- 
other hymn. 

Hark!  what  melodious  sounds  are  they, 

was  written  on  receiving  tidings  of  the  death  of  his 
brother  and  wife  in  the  China  seas,  as  sorrow  was 
turned  into  joyous  anticipation  of  the  ultimate  tri- 
umph of  the  gospel,  notwithstanding  such  depletions 
in  our  missionary  work.  The  following  hymn  by  Dr. 
James  is  from  "  The  Devotional  Hymn  and  Tune 
Book"  (1864). 

Hastening  on  to  death's  dark  river, 

Daily  nearer  to  the  shore, 
When,  our  warfare  ceased  forever, 

"We  shall  meet  the  foe  no  more. 

Soon  we  '11  see  that  blissful  region , 
Where  the  Prince  of  Peace  doth  reign. 

Blessed  thought!  no  hostile  legion 
Enters  there  with  grief  or  pain. 


422.  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Clothed  with  bodies  pure  and  glorious, 
God's  free  grace  we  there  shall  own, 

In  the  Savior's  strength  victorious, 
Cast  before  him  every  crown. 


NATHANIEL  BUTLER. 

1824  . 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Butler,  d.d.,  son  of  Rev.  John 
Butler,  a  well  known  preacher  and  revivalist,  was  born 
in  Waterville,  Me.,  October  19,  1824.  He  was  fitted 
for  college  at  the  academy  in  Yarmouth.  The  first 
three  years  of  his  collegiate  course  he  spent  at  George- 
town College,  Ky.,  but  he  was  graduated  at  Water- 
ville College,  now  Colby  University,  in  1842.  October 
28, 1845,  he  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  Turner,  Maine.  Here  he  remained  until  1850, 
when  he  accepted  an  appointment  as  agent  for  the 
American  Baptist  Missionary  Union  for  Maine  and 
eastern  Massachusetts.  A  few  months  later  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Eastport,  Maine.  Here  he  remained  nine  years.  His 
subsequent  pastorates  were  as  follows :  From  1860,  to 
1863,  at  Auburn,  Me.;  from  1864,  to  1869,  at  Camden, 
Me. ;  from  1869,  to  1872,  at  Albion,  111.  ;  from  1872, 
to  1873,  at  Leavenworth,  Kan. ;  from  1873,  to  1876, 
at  Bangor,  Me. ;  from  1876,  to  1877,  at  Dexter,  Me.  ; 
1877,  to  1878,  at  North  Vassalborough,  Me.  ;  and 
from  1880,  to  1881,  at  Hallowell,  Me.  Then  for  several 
years,  he  was  connected  with  the  monumental  depart- 
ment of  the  Bodwell  Granite  Company.  In  1887, 
he  went  west,  and  engaged  in  evangelistic  labor. 

Dr.  Butler  was  private  secretary  of  Vice-president 
Hamlin  from  1861,  to  1865.  He  represented  Vassal- 
borough  and  Windsoi'  in  the  Maine  legislature  of  1880. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  423 

In  1856,  he  was  elected  a  trustee  of  Colby  University, 
and  in  1873,  he  received  from  that  institution  the 
degree  of  doctor  of  divinity. 

In  1877,  he  published  a  "Memorial  of  Nathaniel 
Milton  Wood,  with  Sermons."  He  has  also  written 
not  a  little  in  prose  and  verse  for  the  religious  and 
secular  press.  The  following  hymn,  written  in  1849, 
is  from  the  "  Christian  Melodist "  (254): 

How  sweet,  when  worn  with  cares  of  life, 

From  all  its  busy  scenes  to  flee; 
To  leave  awhile  its  toil  and  strife, 

And  hold  communion,  Lord,  with  thee. 

When  the  tired  spirit  seeks  its  rest, 

'Tis  there  a  sure  repose  I  meet; 
'T  is  there  my  weary  soul  is  blest. 

Kneeling  before  thy  mercy-seat. 

"When  sin  o'ercasts  with  clouds  my  sky. 

And  Jesus  hides  his  face  from  me, 
Then  to  thy  mercy-seat  I  fly, 

And  bow  in  humble  prayer  to  thee. 

There  all  the  clouds  of  earth  depart. 

And  heaven  itself  I  almost  see ; 
The  Savior  whispers  to  my  heart 

And  shows  his  smiling  face  to  me. 

There  Jesus'  voice  of  love  I  hear; 

There  glory  sheds  its  light  around, 
Eye  never  looked  on  things  so  fair; 

Earth  never  heard  so  sweet  a  sound 

Thou  Lamb  of  God  !  O,  let  me  dwell 

Forever  at  thy  sacred  feet, 
To  hear  the  voice  I  love  so  well, 

And  ne'er  forsake  the  mercy-seat. 


424  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOHN  M.  EVANS. 

1825  . 


John"  M.  Evans  was  born  November  30,  1825,  in 
Hilltown,  Bucks  County,  Penn.  In  November,  1841, 
he  was  baptized  in  Philadelphia  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Ken- 
nard,  d.d.,  and  united  with  the  Tenth  Baptist  church, 
of  which  Dr.  Kennard  was  pastor.  He  at  once  be- 
came identified  with  the  music  in  both  the  church  and 
Sunday-school,  In  1854,  on  the  opening  of  the  new 
edifice  of  the  Tenth  church,  he  assumed  the  charge 
of  the  music,  and  was  appointed  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday-school.  This  was  the  first  Sunday-school 
in  Philadelphia  to  make  music  a  prominent  feature  in 
its  exercises.  In  1864,  Mr.  Evans  connected  himself 
with  the  Tabernacle  Baptist  church,  and  for  fourteen 
years  had  the  entire  charge  of  the  music  in  the  church 
and  Sunday-school.  In  1883,  he  became  a  member  of 
the  Memorial  Baptist  church,  and  at  the  organization 
of  the  Temple  Baptist  church  at  Tioga,  in  1885,  he 
identified  himself  with  that  new  interest. 

Mr.  Evans  is  the  author  of  several  hymns,  and  also 
of  several  well  known  tunes.  The  following  hymn 
is  number  303  in  the  "Devotional  Hymn  and  Tune 
Book"  (1864),  and  was  written  by  Mr.  Evans  about 
the  year  1860: 

Amid  the  joyous  scenes  of  earth, 

When  hope's  bright  visions  round  us  play, 

There  still  remains  an  hour  most  dear: 
The  mera'ry  of  that  happy  day, 

Happy  day,  happy  day, 
"When  Jesus  washed  my  sins  away,  etc. 

Should  all  the  joys  of  earth  grow  dim, 
And  melt  like  fancy's  dreams  away, 

There  linger  deep  within  the  heart 
Fond  raem'ries  of  that  happy  day, 
Happy  day,  etc. 


.^^  ^ 


'M^yC 


■lamA,^^:^. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  425 

When  sorrow's  clouds  around  us  lower, 

Amid  the  gloom  a  cheering  ray 
Comes  gently  stealing  o'er  the  soul; 

It  is  the  mem'ry  of  that  day, 
Happy  day,  etc. 

When  death's  dark  shadows  gather  round, 
When  nature's  noblest  pow'rs  decay, 

A  spirit's  whispering  voice  recalls 
The  blessed  mem'ries  of  that  day, 
Ilappy  day,  etc. 

Mr.  Evans'  best  known  musical  composition  is  that 
which  was  written  to  accompany  the  familiar  hymn 
by  Phoebe  Gary,  commencing 

One  sweetly  solemn  thought. 

See  "Devotional  Hymn  and  Tune  Book"(  1864),  and 
some  later  works. 


BASIL  MANLY. 

1825  . 

Among  the  Baptists  of  the  south  the  name  of  Manly 
is  very  intimately  associated  with  Christian  song. 
Rev.  Basil  Manly,  d.d.,  ll.d.,  a  son  of  Dr.  Basil 
Manly,  of  South  Carolina,  was  born  in  Edgefield 
County,  S.  C,  December  19,  1825.  He  fitted  for  col- 
lege in  a  preparatory  school  at  Charleston,  and  then 
entered  the  University  of  Alabama,  at  Tuscaloosa, 
where  he  was  graduated  in  1843.  He  then  entered 
Newton  Theological  Institution,  from  which  he  re- 
moved to  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  where  he 
was  graduated  in  1847.  Having  been  ordained  at 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  in  1848,  he  commenced  his  ministry 
as  pastor  of  three  country  churches,  two  in  Sumter 
County,   Ala.,   and    one    in   Noxubee    County,   Miss. 


426  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Under  the  strain  of  the  manifold  labors  which  these 
three  pastorates,  widely  separated,  imposed  upon  him, 
his  health  became  impaired,  and  at  length  he  with- 
drew from  the  active  labors  of  the  ministry  until  Sep- 
tember, 1850.  He  then  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Richmond,  Va.  In 
1854,  his  health  again  failed,  and  having  resigned  as 
pastor,  he  established  the  Richmond  Female  Institute, 
of  which  he  became  the  principal.  When  the  South- 
ern Baptist  Theological  Seminary  was  organized  at 
Greenville,  S.  C,  in  1859,  Dr  Manly  received  an 
appointment  as  professor  of  biblical  interpretation. 
During  the  war  the  seminary  was  suspended,  and  the 
professor  preached  for  several  churches  near  Green- 
ville. When  the  seminary  was  re-opened,  he  resumed 
the  duties  of  his  professorship,  and  devoted  himself  to 
the  interests  of  the  seminary  until  1871,  when  he 
accepted  the  presidency  of  Georgetown  College,  Ky. 
This  position  he  filled  until  1879,  when  he  was  elected 
professor  of  Old  Testament  interpretation  and  biblical 
introduction  in  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological  Sem- 
inary, which  had  been  removed  from  Greenville,  S.  C, 
to  Louisville,  Kentucky.  There  he  still  remains.  Dr. 
Manly' s  attainments  as  a  biblical  scholar  are  widely 
acknowledged.  The  University  of  Alabama  conferred 
on  him,  in  1859,  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity. 
The  descree  of  doctor  of  law^s  he  received  from  the 
Agricultural  College  at  Auburn,  Ala.,  in  1874. 

Beside  pamphlets  and  occasional  sermons,  Dr. 
Manly  has  published  "  A  Call  to  the  Ministry  "  (1867), 
and  ^'  The  Bible  Doctrine  of  Inspiration  Explained 
and  Vindicated  "  (1888),  a  work  of  great  excellence. 
In  1849,  while  withdrawn  from  the  labors  of  the 
pastorate,  he  compiled,  with  the  aid  of  his  honored 
father,  the  "  Baptist  Psalmody,"  which  was  published 
in  Charleston  in  the  succeeding  year,  and  has  had  an 
extensive  circulation  in  the  southern  states.  To  this 
collection,  Avhich  is  one  of  great  excellence,  Dr.  Manly 
contributed  nine  hymns : 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  427 

"  Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord," 

"Jesus,  my  Lord,  I  own  thee  G®d," 

"  God  with  us,  O  glorious  name," 

"  Our  God  invites  the  wanderers  home," 

"Lord,  I  deserve  thy  deepest  wrath," 

"  Before  the  pool  a  sufferer  lay," 

"  In  doubt's  dim  twilight  here  I  stray," 

"  God  of  the  seas,  whose  ruling  voice," 

"  There  is  a  light  which  shines  from  heaven." 

Dr.  Manly  has  also  written  twenty  or  thirty  additional 
hjmins,  some  of  which,  as  well  as  of  those  whose  first 
lines  are  given  above,  have  found  their  way  into  vari- 
ous collections.  The  following  hymn  was  written  by 
Dr.  Manly  at  the  request  of  Dr.  Boyce,  for  the  first 
commencement  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary  at  Greenville,  S.  C,  in  1860,  and  has  been 
sung  at  every  commencement  of  the  seminary  since : 

Soldiers  of  Christ,  in  truth  arrayed, 
A  world  in  ruins  needs  your  aid, 
A  world  by  sin  destroyed  and  dead, 
A  world  for  which  the  Savior  bled. 

His  gospel  to  the  lost  proclaim, 
Good  news  to  all  in  Jesus'  name; 
Let  light  upon  the  darkness  break, 
That  sinners  from  their  death  may  wake. 

Morning  and  evening  sow  the  seed, 
God's  grace  the  effort  shall  succeed. 
Seedtimes  of  tears  have  oft  been  found 
With  sheaves  of  joy  and  plenty  crowned. 

"We  meet  to  part,  but  part  to  meet. 
When  earthly  labors  are  complete, 
To  join  in  yet  more  blest  employ 
In  an  eternal  world  of  joy. 


428  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

ROBERT  LOWRY. 

1826 . 

The  author  of 

Shall  we  gather  at  the  river 

was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  March  12,  1826.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  became  a  disciple  of 
Christ,  and  although  his  parents  were  members  of  the 
Associate  Presbyterian  church,  his  study  of  the  Scrip- 
tures led  him  to  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  Baptists,  and 
having  been  baptized  by  Rev.  Geo.  B.  Ide,  d.d.,  he 
united  with  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia. 
At  once  he  devoted  himself  to  Christian  work,  espe- 
cially in  connection  with  Sunday-schools.  The  desire 
to  consecrate  his  life  to  Christ's  cause,  gradually  took 
possession  of  him,  and  at  length  his  pastor  drew  from 
him  the  confession  that  his  thoughts  had  been  directed 
to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  Encouraged 
by  Dr.  Ide  to  prepare  himself  for  this  work,  he  entered 
Lewisburgh,  now  Bucknell  University,  where  he  was 
graduated  with  valedictory  honors  in  1854.  The  same 
year  he  was  ordained  and  became  pastor  of  the  First 
Baptist  church  in  West  Chester,  Penn,,  where  he  re- 
mained for  five  years.  In  1858,  he  accepted  a  call  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  Bloomingdale  Baptist  church, 
New  York.  In  1861,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Hanson 
Place  Baptist  church,  Brooklyn.  Here  he  remained 
until  1869,  when  he  accepted  the  professorship  of  belles- 
lettres  in  his  alma  mater,  together  with  the  pastorate 
of  the  Lewisburgh  Baptist  church.  This  double  ser- 
vice he  performed  six  years,  and  then  removed  to 
Plainfield,  N.  J.  Here  a  new  church  was  organized, 
and  Dr.  Lowry — the  honorary  degree  of  doctor  of 
divinity  having  been  conferred  upon  him  by  Lewis- 
burgh University — was  called  to  the  pastorate  of 
what  aas  since  been  known  as  the  Park  Avenue  Bap- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  429 

tist  church.  In  1880,  Dr.  Lowry  took  a  rest  of  four 
years,  and  visited  Europe.  In  1885,  he  felt  that  he 
must  have  a  longer  respite,  and  after  nine  years  of 
labor  with  a  people  to  whom  he  was  tenderly  attached, 
he  resigned.  An  effort  was  made  to  have  him  recon- 
sider his  action,  and  continue  his  ministry  in  Plainfield ; 
but  he  was  firm  in  the  conviction  that  in  taking  this 
step  he  was  in  the  path  of  duty,  and  for  a  time  he 
traveled  in  the  south  and  west,  and  subsequently  in 
Mexico.  At  length,  re-invigorated  in  health,  he  re- 
turned to  Plainfield,  where  he  still  resides,  devoting 
himself  to  the  work  which  he  loves  so  well,  and  in 
which  he  has  achieved  abundant  success. 

For,  successful  as  Dr.  Lowry  has  been  as  a  pastor 
and  j^reacher,  multitudes  know  him  better  as  a  writer 
of  hymns  and  composer  of  sacred  music.  On  the  death 
of  William  B.  Bradbury,  the  music  publishing  business 
which  he  had  built  up  in  New  York  was  continued  by 
Biglow  &  Main.  The  new  firm  made  a  proposal  to 
Dr.  Lowry  to  prepare  a  book  for  use  in  Sunday-schools. 
At  first  Dr.  Lowry  shrank  from  the  undertaking, 
fearing  that  it  would  interfere  with  his  ministerial 
duties.  He  was  at  length,  however,  induced  to  enter 
upon  the  preparation  of  the  proposed  book.  The  work 
then  begun  has  been  continued  to  the  present  time. 

Dr.  Lowry's  fondness  for  music  was  exhibited  in  his 
earliest  years.  As  a  child,  he  amused  himself  with  the 
various  musical  instruments  that  came  into  his  hands. 
A  love  of  melody  was  thus  developed.  When  the 
obligations  of  musical  editorship  were  laid  upon  him, 
he  gave  himself  to  the  study  of  the  best  musical  text- 
books, and  the  highest  forms  of  musical  composition. 

The  music  books  he  has  edited  are  as  follows : 
"  Gospel  Melodies  "  (1868) ;  "  Bright  Jewels  "  (1869) ; 
"Pure  Gold"  (1871);  "Royal  Diadem"  (1873); 
"Temple  Anthems"  (1873);  " Hymn  Service  "  (1871, 
1872,  1873);  "Tidal  Wave"  (1874);  "Brightest 
and  Best"  (1875);  "  Welcome  Tidings  "  and  "Foun- 


430  BAPTIST  HYMN^  WRITERS 

tain  of  Son^"  (1877);  "Chautauqua  Carols" 
(1878);  "Gospel  Hymn  and  Tune  Book"  (1879); 
"Good  as  Gold"  (1880);  "Our  Glad  Hosanna " 
(1882);  "Joyful  Lays"  (1884);  "Glad  Refrain" 
(1886);  also  "Cantatas  for  Christmas"  (1881-1886); 
"Cantatas  for  Easter"  (1882-1887).  These  works 
have  had  a  very  wide  circulation.  Of  "  Bright  Jew- 
els" a  half-million  copies  were  sold  in  four  years,  and  of 
"Pure  Gold"  more  than  a  million  copies  have  been 
sold.  Some  of  the  other  books  edited  by  Dr.  Lowry 
have  been  received  with  almost  equal  favor,  and  all 
have  been  heartily  welcomed. 

In  these  various  works   are  many  hymns  composed 
by  Dr.  Lowry,  among  those  best  known,  beside 

Shall  we  gather  at  the  river, 

are 

"  Shall  we  know  each  other  there," 
"  One  more  day's  work  for  Jesus," 
"  Weeping  will  not  save  me," 
"  The  Eifted  Kock," 
"  Where  is  my  boy  to-night," 
"  Jesus  is  my  Savior,"  etc. 

The  hymn 

Shall  we  gather  at  the  river 

was  written  one  afternoon  in  July,  1864,  when  Dr. 
Lowry  was  pastor  of  the  Hanson  Place  Baptist  church, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  The  weather  was  oppressively  hot, 
and  the  author  was  lying  on  a  lounge  in  a  state  of  phys- 
ical exhaustion.  He  was  almost  incapable  of  bodily 
exertion,  and  his  imagination  began  to  take  to  itself 
wings.  Visions  of  the  future  passed  before  him  with 
startling  vividness.  The  imagery  of  the  Apocalypse 
took  the  form  of  tableaux.  Brightest  of  all  were  the 
throne,  the  heavenly  river,  and  the  gathering  of  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  431 

saints.  While  he  was  thus  breathing  heavily  in  the 
sultry  atmosphere  of  that  July  day,  his  soul  seemed  to 
take  new  life  from  that  celestial  outlook.  He  began  to 
wonder  why  the  hymn-writers  had  said  so  much 
about  "the  river  of  death,"  and  so  little  about  "  the 
pure  river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal,  proceeding 
out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb."  As  he 
mused,  the  words  began  to  construct  themselves. 
They  came  first  as  a  question  of  Christian  inquiry, 
"  Shall  we  gather  ?  "  Then  they  broke  out  in  chorus, 
as  an  answer  of  Christian  faith,  "  Yes,  w^e  '  11  gather." 
On  this  question  and  answer  the  hymn  developed. itself. 
The  music  came  with  the  hymn.  The  author  never 
has  been  able  to  tell  which  had  priority  of  birth.  They 
are  twins.  When  song  had  formulated  itself,  the 
author  sprang  up,  sat  down  at  his  organ,  played  the 
tune  through,  and  sang  the  first  stanza  and  the  chorus. 
Then  he  wrote  it  out.  In  that  same  year  Dr.  Lowry 
was  asked  for  some  contributions  to  a  song-book,  which 
the  American  Tract  Society  was  about  to  publish.  He 
gave  the  editor  some  manuscripts,  and  subsequently 
added  "Shall  we  gather."  In  the  following  spring, 
the  Brooklyn  Sunday  School  Union  asked  permission 
to  use  it  for  the  May  anniversary.  Forty  thousand 
children  sang  it  on  parade,  and  in  their  churches. 
Then  it  went  everywhere.  It  was  sung  in  conventions, 
in  churches,  in  Sunday-schools,  and  at  the  bedside  of 
the  dying.  It  crossed  the  ocean,  and  became  known 
in  Great  Britain  and  on  the  continent.  At  some  of 
the  most  distant  missionary  stations  in  Asia  it  was 
translated  and  sung.  It  found  its  way  to  the  Sand- 
wich Islands,  and  soon  encircled  the  globe.  It  is  prob- 
ably the  one  hymn  by  which  its  author  is  best  known. 
Many  incidents  connected  with  this  hymn  might  be 
related.  A  young  man  had  been  stricken  down  with 
fever,  in  the  military  hospital  in  Alexandria,  during 
the  late  war  in  Egypt.  A  lady  visitor  hearing  him 
moan  piteously  for  his  mother,  sat  down  by  his  side, 


432  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

and  laid  her  hand  on  his  burning  brow.  As  the  sun 
was  just  setting,  she  began  to  sing, 

Shall  we  gather  at  the  river, 

and  •  as  she  sang  one  weary  head  after  another  was 
raised  in  a  listening  attitude.  When  she  stopped,  one 
said,  "  0  lady,  sing  that  again!"  and  she  repeated  the 
hymn.  Then  turning  to  the  lad,  she  said,  "Will  you 
be  there?"  Then  a  bright  light  shone  in  his  eye,  and 
a  faint  utterance  fell  from  his  lips,  ''Yes,  I  shall  be 
there  soon, "  and  in  a  short  time  his  spirit  passed 
away. 

A  meeting  not  long  ago  was  held  in  the  Mission  Hall 
in  Salmon's  Lane,  Limehouse,  London,  to  greet  Lady 
Colin  Campbell,  who  has  shown  in  various  ways  her 
sympathy  with  the  poor  of  the  East  End.  The  exer- 
cises consisted  of  cheers  of  welcome,  prayer,  singing 
and  remarks  by  Walter  Austin,  the  founder  of  the 
mission.  The  Pall  Mall  Gazette  say3 :  "But  what 
every  one  was  waiting  for  was  to  hear  Lady  Colin 
sins^ 

Shall  we  gather  at  the  river, 

which  she  did  with  a  refinement  of  tone  and  f  eelins* 
that  seemed  to  pass  into  the  worn  faces  looking  up 
into  hers." 

As  a  prelude  to  the  Robert  Raikes  centennial  in 
London,  in  1880,  the  Sunday-school  Union  gave  a 
reception  to  the  delegates.  Distinguished  men  from 
all  parts  of  the  world  addressed  the  meeting.  After 
the  last  of  the  appointed  speakers  had  left  the  plat- 
form, the  chairman,  Sir  Charles  Reed,  m.p.,  rose  and 
said :  "  I  am  told  that  the  author  of 

Shall  we  gather  at  the  river 

is  in  the  room.  We  should  all  like  to  hear  him." 
Making  his  way  from  the  rear  seats.  Dr.  Lowry  ad- 
vanced to  the  platform,  where  he  was  welcomed  by 
tlie   chairman,  and  introduced  to  the  audience.     The 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  433 

reception  was  so  enthusiastic  that  for  some  minutes  it 
was  impossible  for  him  to  speak.  The  Presbyterian, 
reporting  this  episode,  says :  "  It  was  a  suitable  recog- 
nition due  to  such  a  man,  and  a  spontaneous  testimony 
to  the  value  of  a  song  which  doubtless  the  delegates 
present  had  made  a  household  word." 

Rev.  Dr.  D.  Morrison,  of  Ontario,  Canada,  has  made 
a  Latin  version  of  the  hymn.  The  first  stanza  is  as 
follows : 

Fluvione  coUigemus 

Qua  siat  seraphim  sancti, 
Fluvio  amoena  cujus 

Fons  est  throno  Domini  ? 

Beside  his  own  hymns  Dr.  Lowry  has  given  vitality 
and  popularity  to  many  productions  of  other  writers 
by  the  music  with  which  they  are  sung,  such  as 

"  I  need  thee  every  hour," 

"  The  mistakes  of  my  life  have  been  many," 

"  How  can  I  keep  from  singing," 

"  All  the  way  my  Savior  leads  me," 

"  Shall  we  know  each  other  there," 

"  Savior,  thy  dying  love," 

"One  more  day's  work  for  Jesus," 

"  "When  the  Comforter  comes," 

"  We  're  marching  to  Zion," 

and  a  host  of  others. 

The  following  hymn,  written  by  Dr.  Lowry  in  1867, 
is  entitled  "None  but  Jesus": 

"Weeping  will  not  save  me. 
Though  my  face  were  bathed  in  tears 
That  could  not  allay  my  fears. 
Could  not  wash  the  stain  of  years; 

"Weeping  will  not  save  me. 

Chorus.  —  Jesus  wept  and  died  for  me, 
Jesus  suffered  on  the  tree, 
Jesus  waits  to  make  me  free; 
He  alone  can  save  me. 
28 


434  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

Workiug  will  not  save  me. 
Purest  deeds  that  I  can  do, 
Holiest  thoughts  aud  feelings  too, 
Cannot  form  my  soul  anew ; 

Working  will  not  save  me. 

"Waiting  will  not  save  me. 
Helpless,  guilty,  lost,  I  lie, 
In  my  ear  is  mercy's  cry ; 
If  I  wait  I  can  but  die; 

Waiting  will  not  save  me. 

Faith  in  Christ  will  save  me. 
Let  me  trust  thy  weeping  Son, 
Trust  the  work  that  he  has  done, 
To  his  arms,  Lord,  help  me  run; 

Faith  in  Christ  will  save  me. 


WILLIAM  F.  SHERWIN. 

1826-1888. 

Although  remembered  chiefly  as  a  musical  com- 
poser and  conductor,  William  Fisk  Sherwin  has  also  a 
place  among  hymn  writers.  He  was  born  in  Buck- 
land,  Mass.,  March  14,  1826.  On  account  of  the 
long-continued  illness  of  his  parents,  the  family  was 
reduced  to  extreme  poverty,  so  that,  although  he 
early  manifested  decided  musical  abilities,  it  was  im- 
possible for  him  in  his  boyhood  to  obtain  other  instruc- 
tion in  music  than  that  furnished  by  the  old-fashioned 
sing-ing;  school.  Of  this  he  made  the  most,  and  so 
rapid  was  his  progress  that  at  the  age  of  fifteen 
he  was  the  leader  of  a  large  chorus  choir.  When 
eighteen  years  old  he  went  west,  and  taught  a  district 
school.  After  his  return  he  again  devoted  himself  to 
music,  and  by  his  classes  he  aided  in  the  support  of  the 
family.      Accordingly  he  visited  Boston  in  order  to 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  435 

receive  instruction  from  such  masters  as  Lowell  Mason 
and  George  J.  Webb.  At  twenty-five  years  of  age,  he 
was  well  known  in  New  Eno;lancl  musical  conventions. 
For  a  while  he  was  a  choir  leader  and  conductor  of 
a  musical  society  in  North  Adams,  Mass.  Afterward 
he  was  jDrofessor  of  music  in  a  female  seminary  in 
Hudson,  N.  Y.  About  the  year  18-54,  he  was  invited 
to  take  charge  of  the  music  in  the  Pearl  Street  Baptist 
church  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  then  under  the  pastoral 
charge  of  Rev.  William  Hague,  d.d.  He  was  also 
called  to  a  professorship  in  the  Albany  Female  Acad- 
emy. Both  positions  he  retained  ten  years,  when,  on 
account  of  failing  health,  he  resigned,  and  removed  to 
New  York. 

Brought  up  as  a  Congregationalist,  he  had  always 
believed  that  immersion  was  New  Testament  baptism, 
and  it  is  not  strange  that  during  his  residence  in 
Albany,  under  the  preaching  of  Dr.  Hague,  he  became 
a  staunch  Baptist. 

In  New  York,  after  the  restoration  of  his  health, 
Professor  Sherwin  devoted  himself  to  his  chosen  pro- 
fession. He  became  especially  well  known  as  a  most 
effective  and  popular  Sunday-school  worker.  He  had 
a  part,  also,  in  the  preparation  of  many  musical  books 
for  choirs  and  Sunday-schools,  and  for  use  in  the 
temperance  movement.  In  his  later  years  he  was 
the  chief  musical  conductor  at  Chautauqua,  and  at 
other  large  summer  assemblies.  He  was  also  the 
chorus  director  and  lecturer  in  the  New  Ens'land 
Conservatory  of  Music,  Boston.  He  devoted,  too, 
considerable  time  to  musical  and  Sundaj^-school  con- 
ventions. He  died  April  14,  1888,  at  his  home  in 
Dorchester,  Mass. 

Professor  Sherwin' s  hymns  are  numbered  by  scores. 
Perhaps  the  most  widely  known  are 

"  Lo,  the  clay  of  God  is  breaking," 
"Sound  the  battle  cry," 
"  I  need  thee,  O  my  God," 


436  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"  Why  is  thy  faith,  O  child  of  God,  so  small," 
"  O  sinner,  the  Savior  is  calling," 
"Grander  than  ocean's  story," 

Many  of  his  anniversary  and  Christmas  hymns  have 
had  a  wide  circulation  in  this  country  and  in  England. 
In  1884,  out  of  one  hundred  hymns  written  for  the 
semi-centennial  of  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission 
Society,  a  committee  selected  a  hymn  by  Professor 
Sherwin  as  one  of  the  three  best ;  and  in  1885,  a 
committee  of  the  Methodist  General  Conference 
awarded  him  the  first  prize  for  "  the  best  hymn  and 
tune  together,  both  original."  The  following  stanzas 
by  Professor  Sherwin,  form  the  introduction  to  a  vol- 
ume of  scripture  selections  designed  as  a  helper  "  in 
time  of  need": 

"  In  time  of  need  "  — 
So  dost  thou  come  with  helpfulness,  O  Lord, 
To  those  who  trust  thee  and  believe  th}^  word; 
"With  i^race  so  like  a  mother's  tenderness. 
Enfolding  all  with  thy  great  lovingness 

In  time  of  need. 

In  time  of  need, 
iN'o  stinted  measure  doth  the  Father  give 
To  those  who  daily  strive  near  him  to  live; 
"  According  to  his  riches  "  doth  he  succor  bring, 
And  "  of  his  fulness"  giveth  like  a  king, 

In  time  of  need. 

Our  time  of  need 
Is  day  by  day,  and  even  hour  by  hour; 
Each  heart's  pulsation  tells  us  of  his  power 
Who  counts  our  moments,  orders  every  breath, 
And  guards  each  footstep,  lest  it  lead  to  death. 

How  great  our  need! 

'T  is  time  of  need 
When  blessings  countless  as  the  stars  at  night 
Flood  all  our  pathway  with  a  heavenly  light; 
Lest  we  grow  vain  —  too  self-reliant  be  — 
And,  in  our  selfishness,  forget  to  see 

And  feel  our  need. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  437 

Oh!  time  of  need 
When  anxious  cares  o'erwhelm  the  sinking  heai't, 
And  storm-clouds  darkly  lower,  and  joys  depart! 
When  friends  forsake  us,  or  the  loved  ones  go 
Beyond  where  death's  dark,  chilling  waters  flow, 

How  sore  our  need! 

No  time  of  need 
Can  come  to  any  soul  with  power  so  great, 
No  sorrow  leave  the  heart  so  desolate. 
But  earnest  prayer  may  bring,  from  realms  above, 
The  strength  and  comfort  of  eternal  love 

To  meet  the  need. 

God  knows  our  need! 
Look  up,  O  storm-tossed  soul,  look  up! 
E'en  though  thy  lips  press  sorrow's  bitter  cup 
Receive  the  promise  in  the  holy  AVord, 
And  cast  thine  every  burden  on  the  Lord 

In  time  of  need. 


J.  N.  FOLWELL. 

1827  . 

Rev.  J.  N.  Folwell  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
Penn.,  June  1,  1827,  of  Quaker  parents.  In  his  four- 
teenth year  he  was  graduated  from  one  of  the  district 
schools  in  his  native  city,  and  entering  a  mercantile 
establishment  in  Philadelphia,  by  a  peculiar  provi- 
dence he  was  made  the  junior  salesman  two  weeks 
later.  In  his  nineteenth  year  he  met  with  a  change 
of  heart  through  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  March,  1847,  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  J.  fi. 
Kennard,  d.d.,  and  united  with  the  Tenth  Baptist 
church.  Ten  months  later,  through  the  influence  of 
his  pastor,  and  by  the  agency  of  Rev.  Eugenio  Kin- 
caid,  D.D.,  he  was  led  to  withdraw  from  a  business  life, 


438  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

and  to  enter  upon  a  course  of  study  preparatory  for 
the  Christian  ministry.  He  was  one  of  the  first  stu- 
dents in  the  institution  now  known  as  Bucknell  Uni- 
versity, but  on  account  of  illness  was  obliged  to  leave 
the  institution  in  his  junior  year.  From  Madison 
University,  at  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  he  received  the  hon- 
orary degree  of  master  of  arts. 

November  25,  1850,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of 
the  old  Cohansey  Baptist  church  at  Roadstown,  N. 
J.  Subsequently  he  became  pastor  of  the  Manayunk 
Baptist  church,  Philadelphia,  whose  church  edifice  he 
was  instrumental  in  building,  and  later  of  the  55th 
Street  Baptist  church.  New  York,  where  he  performed, 
a  similar  service.  He  then  became  pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  where,  beside  other  sea- 
sons of  revival,  God  gave  him  a  wonderful  work  of 
grace  in  a  ballroom  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town, 
which  led  to  the  organization  of  what  is  now  the  flour- 
ishing Tabernacle  Baptist  church  of  that  city.  Still 
later,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Second  Baptist 
church  in  Brooklyn,  east  district,  whose  church  edifice 
he  aided  in  building,  and  with  which  he  labored  about 
eleven  years,  until  disabled  by  typhoid  fever.  When 
convalescent,  at  the  request  of  Dr.  Parmly,  he  went 
to  Bayonne  City,  N.  J.,  a  place  of  fifteen  thousand 
people,  but  without  a  Baptist  church.  Here  in  three 
years  and  a  half  a  Baptist  church  of  fifty-five  mem- 
bers was  gathered,  a  brick  meeting-house  erected,  and 
a  mission  Sunday-school  established.  Mr.  Folwell  is 
now  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Lancaster,  Penn. 
He  has  always  believed  in  hard  work,  and  such  work, 
now  as  ever,  has  its  reward. 

Mr.  Folwell  is  the  author  of  several  hymns,  some  of 
which  have  appeared  in  the  Watchman,  and  other 
religious  journals.  Two  of  these  have  found  their 
way  into  Dr.  Lowry's  hymn  books.  One,  entitled 
"The  Child's  Prayer,"  has  a  place  in  "Bright  Jew- 
els," and  the  other  is  included  in  "Our  Glad  Hosanna.'* 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  439 

A  more  recent  hymn  written   by  Mr.  Folwell  is  enti- 
tled "Prayer  for  the  Holy  Spirit." 

Holy  Spirit,  at  this  hour 

Let  us  feel  thy  quickening  power; 

Come  upon  us  as  we  meet 

At  the  heav'nly  mercy-seat. 

Shed  abroad  thy  love  divine, 
From  all  sin  our  hearts  refine, 
Make  our  lives  from  day  to  day 
Jesus'  love  to  men  display. 

Give  us  zeal  the  lost  to  seek, 
And  the  gospel  to  them  speak; 
Make  the  fruits  of  grace  abound 
In  our  life  the  year  around. 

Fix  our  eye  on  Christ  alone, 
To  our  souls  his  joy  make  known. 
All  thy  work  in  us  complete, 
For  his  presence  make  us  meet. 

Seal  us  for  the  life  above, 
O  thou  blest,  eternal  Dove  I 
Clothed  in  white,  cause  us  to  be, 
And  in  peace  God's  face  to  see. 


GEORGE  DANA  BOARDMAN. 

1828  . 

This  is  one  of  the  sainted  names  in  our  American 
Baptist  households.  George  Dana  Boardman,  the  well 
known  missionary,  after  a  few  years  of  heroic  toil 
in  Burma,  died  in  the  jungles  back  of  Tavoy,  and  Dr. 
Judson  wrote:  "One  of  the  brightest  luminaries  of 
Burma  is  extinguished  ;  dear  brother  Boardman  has 
gone  to  his  eternal  rest.  I  have  heard  no  particulars, 
except  that  he  died  on  returning  from  his  expedition 


440  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

to  the  Karen  villages,  within  one  day's  march  of 
Tavoy.  He  fell  gloriously  at  the  head  of  his  troops, 
in  the  army  of  victory ;  thirty-eight  wild  Karens  hav- 
ing been  brought  to  the  camp  of  King  Jesus  since  the 
beginning  of  the  year,  beside  the  thirty-two  that  were 
brought  in  during  the  two  preceding  years."  Mr. 
Boardman's  son,  George  Dana  Boardman,  born  at 
Tavoy,  August  18,  1828,  was  taken  to  his  dying 
father's  bedside,  but  as  his  mother  wrote,  "He  was  too 
young  to  know  there  was  cause  for  grief."  Continuing 
her  husband's  labors,  Mrs.  Boardman  declined  the  earn- 
est appeals  of  friends  in  America  that  for  her  own  sake, 
and  for  the  sake  of  her  little  boy,  she  would  return  to 
her  native  land;  but  several  years  later,  after  her 
marriage  to  Dr.  Judson,  her  duty  to  her  child,  then  six 
years  of  age,  was  recognized,  and  George  was  sent  to 
the  United  States  to  be  educated.  For  the  young  boy 
the  journey  was  one  of  many  hardshijDS.  Near  Singa- 
pore he  barely  escaped  capture  by  Malay  pirates ; 
bub  nine  months  after  leaving  Burma  he  safely  reached 
his  destination,  and  was  among  friends  who  gave  him 
a  tender  welcome. 

August  23,  1836,  Dr.  Judson  wrote  to  his  step-son: 
"  Perhaps  we  shall  live  to  see  you  come  out  a  minister 
of  the  Gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  some- 
times pray  that  if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  it  may  be  so." 
A  few  years  later,  the  boy,  for  whom  such  petitions 
continued  to  ascend  heavenward,  was  baptized  at 
Thomaston,  Me.,  by  Rev.  William  Lamson.  In  1846, 
he  entered  Brown  University,  but  in  his  sophomore 
year  he  left  college,  and  the  two  subsequent  years 
A\ere  spent  at  the  west  in  reading  law,  and  in  mercan- 
tile pursuits.  He  then  returned  to  Providence,  re-en- 
tered college,  and  was  graduated  from  Brown  Univer- 
sity in  1852,  and  from  Newton  Theological  Institution 
in  1855. 

His  first  settlement  was  at  Barnwell  Court  House, 
South  Carolina,  where  he  was  ordained  in  December, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  441 

1855.  After  a  brief  pastorate  he  accepted  a  call  from 
the  Second  Baptist  church  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  Here 
he  had  a  successful  ministry,  until  May,  1864,  when 
he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist 
church  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.  As  the  pastor  of  this 
old  church,  he  still  remains,  held  in  deserved  honor 
not  only  by  his  own  people,  but  by  Christians  of 
every  name. 

On  successive  Wednesday  evenings,  from  October, 
1864,  to  April,  1882,  Dr.  Boardman — he  received  the 
degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from  Brown  University  in 
1866  —  delivered  before  his  church  in  Philadelphia  six 
hundred  and  fifty-three  lectures  containing  an  expo- 
sition of  the  entire  New  Testament.  In  1886,  he 
entered  upon  a  similar  course  of  lectures  on  the  Old 
Testament.  In  1878,  he  delivered  in  the  hall  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  Philadelphia,  before 
large  audiences,  fourteen  lectures  on  "The  Creative 
Week."  These  lectures  were  published  the  same 
year  by  D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  New  York,  under  the  title 
"Studies  in  the    Creative    Week."      In  the  foUowino- 

o 

year  he  published  "Studies  in  the  Model  Prayer,"  and 
also  "Epiphanies  of  the  Risen  Lord."  A  volume  on 
the  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  entitled  "The  Mountain 
Instruction,"  was  published  in  1880.  Dr.  Boardman 
has  also  published  numerous  sermons,  addresses  and 
review  articles. 

He  has  also  held  important  positions  on  missionary 
and  educational  boards.  From  1880,  to  1884,  he  was 
president  of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union. 
He  is  a  trustee  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
in  1888,  represented  the  university  at  the  one  thou- 
sandth anniversary  of  the  University  at  Bologna, 
Spain.  II3  is  also  a  member  of  the  American  Philo- 
sophical Society. 

Dr.  Boardman  evidently  inherited  the  fine  poetic 
gift  which  his  mother  possessed;  but  so  far  as  I  can 
learn,  the   following   evening  hymn,  written  in   1854, 


442  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

while  he  was  a  student  at  Newton,  and  first  pubhshed 
in  the  old  New  York  Recorder,  is  the  only  hymn  by 
Dr.  Boardman  that  has  found  its  way  into  print: 

Hast'ning  on  his  march  resplendent, 
O'er  the  verge  sublimely  pendent, 
Grandly  to  his  couch  descending. 
Disappears  the  orb  of  day. 
In  the  twilight's  mellow  lustre, 
Bound  our  altar  we  will  cluster; 
God  of  heaven!  to  thee  ascending, 
Softly  swells  our  vesper  lay. 

Through  another  day  defended, 
^y  thy  grace  to  us  extended, 
We  acknowledge,  and,  adoring, 

Lift  our  hearts  in  grateful  praise. 
Every  evil  thought  repressing. 
Humbly  all  our  sins  confessing. 
Holy  Father!  we,  imploring. 

Crave  of  thee  forgiving  grace. 

In  this  hour  of  contemplation. 
We  renew  our  consecration. 
Till  at  length,  through  grace  triumphant, 
We  attain  the  heavenly  prize. 
Then,  when  comes  the  consummation, 
Rapt  in  holy  adoration, 

Shall  our  souls,  on  wings  exultant. 
Soar  aloft  in  upper  skies. 

This  hymn,  set  to  music  by  M.  F.  H.  Smith,  has 
been  assigned  a  place  in  a  hymn  book  compiled  by 
Rev.  D.  C.  Eddy,  d.d.,  entitled  "The  Memorial 
Hymnal,  a  Collection  of  Hymns  and  Tunes  for  the 
Use  of  Baptist  Families  and  Churches." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  443 

CARLOS  SWIFT. 

1829  . 

Rev.  Carlos  Swift  was  born  in  Fabius,  Onondaga 
County,  N.  Y.,  January  12,  1829.  He  was  educated 
at  Pompey  Academy,  Union  College  and  Madison 
University.  November  6,  1851,  in  Trenton,  near 
Utica,  he  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  Christian 
ministry.  His  principal  pastorates  have  been  at  Clin- 
ton four  years,  Waterville  four  years,  and  Madison 
five  years,  all  in  New  York;  Mount  Carroll  three 
years.  Normal  two  years,  and  Aurora  one  year,  all  in 
Hlinois;  Comanche,  Iowa,  two  years;  and  in  Chicago, 
111.,  seven  years.  He  still  resides  in  Chicago,  but 
since  18G4,  ill  health  has  greatly  interfered  with  his 
ministerial  labors. 

Two  hymns  written  by  Mr.  Swift  are  included  in 
"The  Iris,  Songs  of  Jesus  for  Sunday  Schools  and 
Devotional  Meetings,"  compiled  by  H.  H.  Hawley. 
One  of  these  is  a  Christmas  hymn.  The  other  is  enti- 
tled "Rejoicing  in  Hope,"  and  is  as  follows: 

lu  that  far  distant  land  where  the  angels  of  light 

Are  resplendent  with  glory  no  mortal  hath  known, 
Where  the  praise  of  the  Lord  is  their  holy  delight, 

As  with  melodies  sweet  they  encircle  the  throne ; 
I  've  a  Savior  whose  glory  outshines  all  beside. 

From  whose  bosom  the  fulness  of  love  overflows, 
Who  once  visited  earth,  and  in  bitterness  died 

To  redeem  my  dark  soul  from  its  sin  and  its  woes. 

In  that  far  distant  home  where  the  angels  of  peace 

Are  united  in  love,  and  where  harmony  reigns, 
Where  the  Father  of  all  in  his  intinite  grace 

Sweetly  smiles  on  the  children  his  bounty  sustains ; 
I  've  a  mansion  of  bliss  which  my  Savior  has  given, 

Who  with  blood  sealed  my  pardon  and  made  me  his  own, 
To  partake  of  his  fulness  of  glory  in  heaven, 

And  to  sit  at  his  side  on  his  beautiful  throne. 


'444  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

J.  BYINGTON  SMITH. 

1830  . 

Rev.  J.  Btington"  Smith,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Schroon, 
N.  Y.,  May  1,  1830.  When  sixteen  years  of  age  he 
united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Elbridge,  N.  Y. 
His  collegiate  studies  he  pursued  at  the  University  of 
Rochester,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1852.  From 
the  Rochester  Theological  Seminary  he  was  graduated 
in  1854.  November  23,  1854,  he  was  ordained  at 
Dunkirk,  and  here  he  labored  a  few  months.  In  the 
following  year  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Fayetteville,  N.  Y.,  where  his  ministry 
was  signally  blessed,  many  being  added  to  the  mem- 
bership of  the  church.  In  1860,  he  became  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  Farmersville,  N.  Y.  During  the 
six  years  which  he  spent  with  this  church  a  new 
house  of  worship  was  erected.  From  1865,  to  1869, 
he  was  chaplain  of  the  state  prison  at  Sing  Sing. 
Then  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Geneva,  N.  Y,  Here  he  remained  seven 
years.  The  year  following  his  resignation  he  spent  in 
Europe,  and  on  his  return  he  became  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Peekskill,  N.  Y.  He  now  resides  in 
Saratoga,  N.  Y. 

During  his  chaplaincy  at  Sing  Sing  Dr.  Smith  com- 
piled a  "Prison  Hymn  Book,"  which  included  some  of 
the  compiler's  own  hymns.  Several  hymns,  written 
by  Dr.  Smith,  are  found  in  "Songs  of  Gladness" 
(1875).  The  following  is  entitled  "The  Hand  that 
Lifts  Me": 

When  the  mountam  of  sin  rose  above  me, 
And  I  could  not  scale  its  bleak  height, 

Its  dark  shadows  were  falling  upon  me, 
And  gathering  the  blackness  of  night; 

Then  a  hand  took  me  over  the  mountain 
To  my  home  which  was  far  out  of  sight. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  445 

When  I  sank  in  the  horrible  dungeon, 

That  horrible  pit  where  I  lay, 
When  the  terrors  of  death  were  upon  me. 

And  nothing  my  fears  could  allay, 
Then  a  hand  underneath  me  upbore  me 

To  the  brightness  and  gladness  of  day. 

"VVlien  I  'm  sinking  in  death's  gloomy  river. 

And  down  in  the  surges  I  lie, 
Then  this  hand  is  extended  to  rescue. 

And  lift  to  my  home  in  the  sky ; 
'T  is  the  hand  of  my  Savior  that  takes  me, 

And  will  lift  me  to  dwell  upon  high. 

Unto  him  who  thus  graciously  saves  me 

From  sorrow  and  sadness  and  sin, 
I  will  cling  till  in  love  he  shall  bring  me 

Where  never  a  sorrow  has  been; 
And  where  he  at  the  door  will  be  waiting 

To  lift  me,  a  poor  wanderer,  in. 

Dr.  Smith  has  published  several  sermons  and  ad- 
dresses, lie  is  also  the  author  of  "Sayings  and  Do- 
ings of  Children." 


MRS.  S.  A.  COLLINS. 

1830  . 

In  "  Gospel  Hymns  "  Mrs.  Collins  has  a  hymn,  com- 
mencing 

Jesus,  gracious  one,  calleth  now  to  thee. 

This  hymn  was  written  at  the  request  of  Dr.  W.  H. 
Doane,  and  the  music  which  accompanies  it  was  com- 
posed by  him.  Mr.  Sankey  was  pleased  with  it,  and 
gave  it  a  place  in  "  Gospel  Hymns."  Another  hymn 
written  by  Mrs.  Collins  is  entitled  "Prevailing  Prayer." 


446  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

The  music  to  which  it  is  sung  was  composed  by 
Rev.  Robert  Lowry,  d.d.     It  commences 

O  God,  the  prayer  of  thy  beloved  son. 

The  following  hymn  by  Mrs.  Collins  is  entitled  "  The 
Land  of  Beulah,"  and  was  suggested  by  Bunyan's 
words  in  his  "Pilgrim's  Progress":  "After  this  I  beheld 
until  they  came  into  the  land  of  Beulali,  where  the  sun 
shineth  night  and  day.  Here,  because  they  were 
weary,  they  betook  themselves  awhile  to  rest."  The 
hymn  was  first  published  in  the  Journal  and  Messen- 
ger, May,  1877 : 

Resting,  my  Savior,  and  waiting  for  thee, 

Safe  in  the  land  of  delight; 
Earth  and  its  sorrows  are  shadows  to  me, 

Heaven  shines  clear  on  my  sight. 

Resting,  my  Savior,  thy  garden  is  fair, 

Fulness  of  good  it  supplies; 
Incense  and  melody  float  on  the  air, 

Yonder  the  fair  city  lies. 

Shining  ones  come  on  swift  pinions  of  light, 

Down  from  that  city  of  love; 
Radiant  messengers  stay  not  their  flight, 

Bearing  glad  spirits  above. 

Bells  of  that  city  ring  joyful  and  clear, 

Pilgrims  are  reaching  their  home; 
Voices  of  harpers  fall  soft  on  my  ear. 

Soon  thou  wilt  bid  me  to  come. 

Mrs.  Collins  was  born  in  Middleborough,  Mass., 
May  22,  1830.  She  was  married  in  1850,  "to  Rev.  S. 
A.  Collins,  who  had  pastorates  at  Great  Falls,  N.  H., 
Fitchburg,  Mass.,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  On  account 
of  failing  health,  he  was  obliged  to  withdraw  from  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  became  teacher  of  mental 
and  moral  science  in  Belmont  College,  College  Hill. 
Since  his  death,  which  occurred  May  16,  1877,  Mrs. 
CoUins  has  made  College  Hill  her  home. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  447 

CHRISTOPHER  R.  BLACKALL. 

1830  . 


For  many  years  Dr.  Blackall  has  occupied  a  promi- 
nent position  in  Baptist  Sunday-school  work.  He  was 
born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  September  18,  1830.  It  was 
his  purpose  to  enter  the  medical  profession,  and  he 
studied  medicine  in  New  York,  and  later  in  Chicago, 
where  he  was  graduated  from  the  Rush  Medical  Col- 
lege. Daring  tlie  civil  war  he  served  about  two  years 
as  a  surgeon  of  the  Thirty-Third  Wisconsin  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  then  resigned  on  account  of  impaired 
health,  and  returned  to  Chicago.  Deeply  interested 
in  Sunday-school  work,  he  accepted  the  secretaryship 
of  the  Chicago  Sunday  School  Union,  and  in  May, 
1866,  he  became  its  general  superintendent,  succeed- 
ing Rev.  J.  H.  Vincent,  d.d.  In  1867,  he  accepted 
an  appointment  as  district  Sunday-school  secretary  of 
the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society  for  the 
northwest,  with  headquarters  in  Chicago,  and  a  year 
later  he  established  the  Chicago  branch  of  the  soci- 
ety. Here  he  remained  until  1879,  when  he  removed 
to  New  York  to  assume  the  management  of  the  branch 
house  in  that  city.  In  1882,  the  enlargement  of  the 
Sunday-school  periodical  work  made  necessary  the  ap- 
pointment of  an  office  editor,  and  Dr.  Blackall  was 
transferred  to  Philadelphia.  For  ten  years  he  had 
been  editor  of  the  primary  class  paper  "Our  Little 
Ones,"  and  for  three  years  editor  of  the  "Bible  Lesson 
Quarterly."  He  had  also  been  a  frequent  contributor 
to  the  other  publications  of  the  society.  This  work 
he  continued,  and  he  also,  in  1884,  became  editor  of 
the  "  Baptist  Superintendent."  His  assistance  is  fre- 
quently sought  in  Sunday-school  conventions,  insti- 
tutes and  assemblies. 

Dr.  Blackall  is  the   author  of  the  popular  cantatas 
"Belshazzar"  and  "Ruth."     He  is  also  the  author  of 


448  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

a  poem,  "Nellie's  Work  for  Jesus,"  which  has  reached 
a  sale  of  twelve  thousand  copies.  He  has  also  pub- 
lished "Lessons  on  the  Lord's  Prayer"  (1869),  and  "A 
Story  of  Six  Decades"  (1885),  an  interesting  history 
of  the  work  of  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Soci- 
ety for  sixty  years. 

He  has  also  written  a  large  number  of  Sunday- 
school  hymns,  of  which  at  least  seventy-five  have 
been  published  in  various  Sunday-school  singing  books 
issued  since  1868.     Of  these 

Hast  thou  gleaned  well  today 

first  appeared  in  "Bright  Jewels,"  the  music  by  Dr. 
Kobert  Lowry.  The  hymn  was  written  in  the  cars 
between  Springfield,  111.,  and  Chicago,  as  Dr.  Blackall 
was  returning  from  a  Sunday-school  convention.  Dur- 
ing the  day  he  had  been  at  work  on  the  libretto  of 
"Ruth,"  for  Dr.  W.  H.  Doane,  and  had  just  completed 
the  closing  chorus  of  praise,  when,  as  he  sat  by  the 
car  window,  his  thoughts  took  the  form  of  an  interro- 
gation to  his  own  soul,  and  rising  from  his  seat,  by  the 
lamplight  in  the  car,  he  wrote  the  hymn  as  it  now 
appears. 

The  hymn  "My  Sabbath  Home,"  commencing 

Sweet  Sabbath  School!  more  dear  to  me, 

was  first  published  in  "Pure  Gold."  Dr.  Blackall  had 
been  absent  from  his  school  for  several  weeks,  receiv- 
ing each  week  from  his  associates,  either  by  letters  or 
telegrams,  an  account  of  the  school.  While  in  Dr. 
Doane' s  study  one  day,  he  picked  up  a  piece  of  music 
in  manuscript,  and  asked  Dr.  Doane  to  play  it.  Dr. 
Blackall  then  wrote  for  this  music  the  words  of  this 
hymn. 

"VVe  are  little  sunbeams 

was  brought  out  in  "Chapel  Gems."  It  was  written 
for  a  large  primary  class,  of  which  Dr.  Blackall  was  at 
that  time  the  teacher. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  449 

Follow  the  paths  of  Jesus 

was  first  published  in  the  "  Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune 
Book,"  without  music.  Dr.  Doane  afterward  wrote 
music  for  it,  and  inserted  it  in  the  "Glad  Refrain." 
Dr.  Blackall  had  been  spending  a  couple  of  weeks  at 
the  Mammoth  Cave,  Kentucky,  where  for  safety  it 
was  necessary  to  follow  the  guide.  On  the  morning 
of  his  departure,  recalling  his  experiences  with  the 
guide,  the  words  of  this  hymn  came  to  him,  and  were 
written  out  on  the  railway  train  immediately  after. 

Follow  the  paths  of  Jesus, 

Walk  where  his  footsteps  lead, 
Keep  in  his  beaming  presence, 

Every  counsel  heed. 

Watch,  while  the  hours  are  flying, 
•  Ready  some  good  to  do; 

Quick,  while  his  voice  is  calling, 
Yield  obedience  true. 

Cling  to  the  hand  of  Jesus, 

All  through  the  day  and  night, 
Dark  though  the  way  and  dreary, 

He  will  guide  you  right. 

Live  for  the  good  of  others, 

Helpless,  oppressed  and  wrong; 
Lift  them  from  depths  of  sorrow, 

In  his  strenorth  be  strong. 


HENRY  C.  GRAVES. 

1830  . 

In  "Gospel  Hymns"  (consolidated)  there  is  a  hymn 
(356)  by  Rev.   Henry  C.   Graves,  d.d.,  entitled  "Hear 
thou  my  Prayer."     The  music  is  by  Geo.  C.  Stebbins, 
29 


450  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

and  the  hymn  first  appeared  in  "Welcome  Songs,  No. 
2,"  in  1879.     The  hymn  is  as  follows: 

All  seeing,  gracious  Lord, 

My  heart  before  thee  lies; 
All  sin  of  thought  and  life  abhorred, 

My  soul  to  thee  would  rise. 

Kefeain.  —  Hear  thou  my  prayer,  O  God, 
Unite  my  heart  to  thee ; 
Beneath  thy  love,  beneath  thy  rod, 
From  sin  deliver  me. 

Thou  knowest  all  my  need, 

My  inmost  thought  dost  see ; 
Ah,  Lord  I  from  all  allurements  freed, 

Like  thee  transformed  I  'd  be. 

Thou  holy,  blessed  One, 

To  me,  I  pray,  draw  near; 
My  spirit  fill,  O  heavenly  Son, 

With  loving,  godly  fear. 

Bind  thou  my  life  to  thine, 

To  me  thy  life  is  given. 
While  I  my  all  to  thee  resign, 

Thou  art  my  all  in  heaven. 

Dr.  Graves  was  born  in  Deerfield,  Mass.,  September 
22,  1830.  When  fourteen  years  of  age  he  became  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  in  North  Sunderland, 
Mass.,  of  which  his  father,  Newcomb  Graves,  was  a 
deacon  for  many  years.  A  college  education  was  his 
great  desire  from  his  childhood,  and  his  parents,  at  a 
very  great  sacrifice  on  their  part,  aided  him  in  its  ac- 
complishment. He  prepared  for  college  at  Shelburne 
Falls  and  East  Hampton ;  was  graduated  at  Amherst 
College  in  1856;  and  pursued  his  theological  studies 
at  Newton  Theological  Institution  1856-1858.  He 
was  ordained  March  9,  1858,  and  his  pastorates  have 
been  as  follows:  Charlestown,  Mass.,  1858-1863;  Prov- 
idence,  R.   I.,  1863-1874;  Fall  River,  Mass.,  1874- 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  451 

1880;    Haverhill,   Mass.,  1880-1886;    New   Bedford, 
Mass.,  1886-. 

From  his  mother,  who  possessed  a  fine  voice,  and 
was  familiar  with  the  best  music  of  the  old  mas- 
ters, and  also  those  of  her  own  time.  Dr.  Graves 
inherited  a  love  for  sacred  song.  His  first  hymn, 
written  when  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  was  sung  at 
the  funeral  service  of  a  little  child,  by  the  choir  of 
which  he  was  a  member.  His  hymns  have  been  to 
him  the  expression  of  sympathy  and  religious  feeling. 
Several  of  them  were  written  as  the  conclusion  of 
sermons,  and  they  contain,  in  rhythmical  form,  the 
thoughts  of  the  discourse.  His  occasional  hymns 
have  found  a  place  in  prominent  religious  and  secular 
journals,  and  also  in  several  collections  of  hymns  for 
Sunday-schools,  social  worship,  and  church  services. 
At  the  present  time  he  has  in  preparation  a  volume 
of  translations  from  Latin,  French,  and  German  hymn 
writers,  some  new  versions  of  old  English  lyrics,  and 
original  hymns. 


EDWARD  G.  TAYLOR. 

1830-1887. 

Rev.  Edward  G.  Taylor,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Fox 
Chase,  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  November  25,  1830.  He 
was  graduated  at  the  University  of  Lewisburgh,  now 
Bucknell  University,  in  1854,  and  at  Rochester  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  in  1856.  Having  received  a  call  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Terre  Haute, 
Ind.,  he  was  ordained  in  that  place  in  June,  1857,  and 
continued  to  serve  that  church  as  its  pastor  until  1860. 
From  1860,  to  1864,  he  was  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
church  in  Cincinnati,   Ohio.     He  then  removed  to 


452  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Chicago,  where  he  was  pastor  of  the  Park  Avenue 
Baptist  church  from  1864,  to  1870.  He  then  became 
pastor  of  the  CoHseum  Place  Baptist  church,  in  New 
Orleans,  La.,  where  he  did  a  needed  work  in  freeing 
the  church  from  a  heavy  debt  and  in  gathering  a 
large  congregation.  He  remained  in  New  Orleans 
from  1870,  to  1875,  when  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of 
the  First  Baptist  church  in  Providence,  R.  I.  Here  he 
was  especially  prominent  in  Sunday-school  work.  In 
the  large  edifice  of  that  historic  church  he  gave  each 
week  an  exposition  of  the  Sunday-school  International 
lessons,  which  was  largely  attended  by  Sunday-school 
teachers  of  different  denominations.  From  Provi- 
dence, in  1881,  he  went  to  New  York  as  pastor  of  the 
Mount  Morris  Baptist  church.  Here  he  remained 
until  September,  1882,  when,  on  account  of  impaired 
health,  he  resigned,  and  went  abroad.  Upon  his 
return,  he  became  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church, 
Newark,  N.  J.  In  the  autumn  of  1885,  he  accepted 
the  call  of  the  Delaware  Avenue  Baptist  church, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  there  he  remained  until  his  death, 
Avhich  occurred,  after  a  brief  illness,  on  Sunday,  April 
10,  1887. 

Dr.  Taylor  was  editor  of  the  "Baptist  Sunday  School 
Quarterly,"  also  expository  editor  of  the  "Baptist 
Teacher."  He  was  also  the  author  of  a  large  number 
of  hymns  for  use  in  Sunday-schools.  In  the  "  Service 
of  Song  for  Social  Meetings"  (1881)  is  a  hymn  (222) 
by  Dr.  Taylor, 

Deal  kindly  with  my  master, 

with  music  by  George  C,  Stebbins.  Mr.  Stebbins  also 
composed  the  music  for  the  following  hymns  written 
by  Dr.  Taylor : 

"Not  saved  are  we  by  trying," 
"  Fear  not,  God  is  thy  shield," 
"  Sings  my  happy  soul  of  Jesus," 
"  Closer  to  thy  side  I  cling." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  453 

But  for  most  of  his  hymns  Dr.  Taylor  composed  the 
music  as  well  as  the  words.  Among  them  are  the 
following : 

"  Trust  him,  sinner,  trust  him  now," 

"All  my  trust  is  in  thee,  Jesus," 

"Thank  God  for  the  Bible,  more  precious  than  gold," 

"  Arise  and  be  doing,  the  Lord  be  with  thee," 

"  Wine  is  a  mocker,  and  strong  drink  is  raging," 

"  Able  to  save  to  the  uttermost,  is  he," 

"One  thing  I  know,  I  was  blind  but  now  see," 

"  "Why  sit  we  here  until  we  die," 

"  Calleth  the  Savior  in  tones  of  love." 

Dr.  Taylor  was  also  the  author  of  the  following  hymns : 

"  The  happy  morn  has  dawned  at  last," 

"  Glad  the  ransomed  of  Jehovah," 

"  O  Lord  from  thy  dwelling-place  hear  our  hearts  say," 

"  Serve  the  Lord  with  willing  mind." 

This  is  only  a  partial  list,  but  these  first  lines  will  indi- 
cate the  aim  and  scope  of  Dr.  Taylor's  hymns.  For 
the  most  part  it  will  be  seen  they  give  expression  in 
lyrical  form  to  prominent  scripture  sentiments. 

The  following  hymn  is  a  rendering  into  verse  of  an 
incident  in  the  story  of  Mephibosheth,  as  related  in 
2  Sam.  ix. : 

At  the  King's  table  the  kindness  of  God 

Has  made  rich  provision  for  me ; 
Costly  the  banquet — the  purchase  of  blood  — 

Yet,  large  as  its  price,  it  is  free. 
Pardon  and  peace  are  the  meats  of  his  board, 

And  grace  in  abundance  is  there; 
Glorious  the  feast  that  is  spread  by  the  Lord 

For  all  his  saved  people  to  share. 

At  the  Kjng's  table  in  gladness  I  sit, 

Made  pure  from  the  sin  that  defiled; 
Kobed  in  the  garments  of  righteousness,  fit 

For  one  whom  he  owns  as  his  child; 


454  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

There  in  his  beauty  the  king  I  behold; 

Ah!  matchless  is  he  in  his  grace, 
Charms  that  by  mortals  can  never  be  told 

Adorn  both  his  speech  and  his  face. 

At  the  King's  table  a  company  grand 

Is    gathered  —  once  poor  and  unknown  - 
Princes  are  they  by  the  touch  of  his  hand, 

And  heirs  to  a  crown  and  a  throne. 
To  the  King's  table  the  kindness  of  God 

Invites  every  sinner  to  come; 
Tree  its  provision  —  the  purchase  of  blood- 

And  mercy  cries,  "  Still  there  is  room." 


CLARA  B.  HEATH. 

1831  . 

Mrs.  Clara  B.  Heath,  a  daughter  of  Reuben  G. 
and  Sophia  (Brown)  Sawyer,  was  born  in  Manchester, 
N.  H.,  July  28,  1831.  She  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  that  city,  and  attended  a  select  school  in 
a  neighboring  town  about  a  year.  In  1853,  she  was 
married  to  Robert  Heath,  a  native  of  Chester,  N.  H., 
whose  residence  is  now  in  Manchester.  Mrs.  Heath 
has  been  a  contributor  to  the  Watchman  many  years. 
Several  of  her  hymns  are  included  in  Z.  M.  Parvin's 
"Songs  of  Delight,"  published  in  1875,  by  A.  S. 
Barnes  &  Co.,  New  York.  In  1881,  she  published  a 
volume  of  poems,  entitled  "Water  Lilies  and  Other 
Poems,"  which  found  a  ready  sale.  The  following 
lines  in  this  collection  are  entitled  "  The  Great  Shep- 
herd," 1  Cor.  ii.  9  : 

"  Eye  hath  not  seen."    O  human  eye! 
Bewildered  by  the  earth  below,      *  • 
The  matchless  glories  of  the  sky. 
The  shining  waves  that  ebb  and  flow, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  455 

The  flowers  with  all  their  varied  tints, 

Brighter  than  ever  monarch  wore, — 
Are  these  fair  things  indeed  but  hints 

Of  what  our  Father  has  in  store  ? 

"  Ear  hath  not  heard."    O  human  earl 

Charmed  with  the  music  of  the  sea, 
rilled  with  the  sounds  that  greet  thee  here, 

Eejoicing  in  their  harmony. 
Entranced  by  every  word  and  tone 

From  loving  lips  that  rise  and  fall. 
Hast  thou  indeed,  then,  never  known 

The  heavenly  sounds  that  will  enthrall  ? 

"  No  heart  conceives."     Strange  human  hearti 

Proud  of  thine  unseen  depths  below. 
Buoyed  by  the  hopes  that  from  thee  dart, 

Is  there  still  more  for  thee  to  know  ? 
Capacious  heart,  that  burns  and  thrills, 

And  throbs  again  with  ecstasy, 
When  earth-born  joys  such  caverns  fill, 

How  deep  the  heavenly  tide  must  be! 

"  For  those  who  love  him."    Weary  soul, 

Drink  deeply  of  the  promised  bliss. 
How  round  and  beautiful  the  whole 

Of  one  great  promise  such  as  this  I 
O  wondrous  ocean  of  God's  love! 

Beyond  all  comprehension  wide. 
Thy  waves  will  bear  the  saints  above, 

Where  all  are  more  than  satisfied. 


WILLIAM  H.  DOANE. 

1832  . 

De.  William  Howaed  Doane,  musical  composer,  was 
born  in  Preston,  New  London  County,  Conn.,  Feb- 
ruary 3,  1832.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
pubUc  schools  of  that  place,  and  subsequently  he 
attended  the  Academy  at  Woodstock,  where  he  was 


456  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

graduated  in  1848.  His  father  was  an  extensive 
cotton  manufacturer,  and  at  an  early  age  William  was 
placed  in  an  important  position  in  his  counting-room. 
About  three  years  later  he  accepted  a  still  higher  and 
more  responsible  position  in  the  counting-room  of 
James  S.  Treat,  an  extensive  manufacturer  of  cotton 
goods  in  Voluntown.  After  remaining  there  three 
years  he  was  called  to  Norwich  to  take  charge  of  the 
books  and  finances  of  J.  A.  Fay  &  Co.,  at  that  time 
extensive  manufacturers  of  wood-working  machinery. 
He  remained  with  them  about  five  years  and  then  was 
transferred  by  the  company  to  Chicago,  111.,  and 
placed  in  charge  of  their  western  business  as  general 
agent.  In  1860,  he  became  a  partner  in  the  business, 
and  having  removed  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  he  became 
president  of  the  company,  and  has  since  had  the  com- 
plete control  and  management  of  the  business.  The 
sole  manufacturing  establishment  of  the  company  is 
now  in  Cincinnati.  Dr.  Doane  was  converted  in  1847, 
and  in  1851,  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Frederic  Denison, 
and  united  with  the  Central  Baptist  church  in  Norwich, 
Conn.  In  1857,  he  was  married  to  Fanny  M.  Treat, 
daughter  of  his  father's  partner.  Dr.  Doane  lives  at 
Mount  Auburn,  a  suburb  of  Cincinnati,  and  is  a  prom- 
inent member  of  the  Mount  Auburn  Baptist  cliurch. 

From  his  early  boyhood  Dr.  Doane  was  interested 
in  music.  At  the  age  of  six  years  he  sang  frequently 
in  public,  and  at  the  age  of  ten  he  sang  in  the  church 
choir.  At  twelve  he  was  considered  an  exceptionally 
fine  flutist.  At  thirteen,  he  could  play  on  the  double 
bass  viol,  and  at  fifteen  with  equal  skill  he  could  play 
on  the  cabinet  organ.  About  this  time,  he  commenced 
musical  composition.  In  thorough  bass,  etc.,  he  was 
favored  with  good  instructors,  among  them,  Holbrook, 
B.  F.  Baker,  A.  N.  Johnson,  and  the  great  German 
musician,  Kanhoiser.  In  1852-4,  he  was  conductor  of 
the  Norwich  Harmonic  Society.  In  1854,  he  assisted 
B.  F,  Baker  in  a  musical  convention.    His  first  Sunday- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  557 

school  hymn  book,  "  Sabbath  Gems,"  was  prepared  in 
1861.  This  was  followed,  in  1864,  by  "Little  Sun- 
beams," in  1867,  by  "Silver  Spray,"  and  by  "Songs  of 
Devotion,"  in  1868.  Since  that  time,  in  connection 
with  Rev.  Robert  Lowry,  d.d.,  he  has  published  "  Pure 
Gold,"  "Royal  Diadem,"  " Temple  Anthem, "  "Tidal 
Wave,"  "  Brightest  and  Best,"  "Welcome  Tidings," 
"Fountain  of  Song,"  "Good  as  Gold,"  "Glad  Ho- 
sanna,"  "Joyful  Lays,"  "Glad  Refrain,"  and  others. 
He  was  also  connected  with  Dr.  Lowry  in  preparing 
"  The  Gospel  Hymn  and  Tune  Book  "  for  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society,  and  more  recently  he 
was  one  of  the  musical  editors  of  "The  Baptist 
Hymnal."  In  1875,  Denison  University  conferred 
upon  him  the  honorary  degree  of  doctor  of  music. 
Dr.  Doane  has  written  a  few  hymns,  among  them 

"  No  one  knows  but  Jesus," 
"  Savior,  like  a  bird  to  thee," 

and  the  following  in  "Good  as  Gold": 

Precious  Savior,  dearest  Friend, 

While  we  bend  the  knee. 
Come  and  give  our  longing  hearts 

Deeper  love  for  thee. 

Come  and  consecrate  us  now, 

Seal  us  ever  thine; 
May  we  to  thy  holy  will 

Every  power  resign. 

Trusting  as  a  little  child, 

Help  us  Lord  to  be; 
While  we  ask  in  simple  faith 

Deeper  love  for  thee. 

Deeper  love,  yes,  deeper  love, 

This  our  constant  plea; 
Deeper  love,  yes,  deeper  love. 

Till  we  're  lost  in  thee. 

Dr.  Doane  has  devoted  himself  especially  to  musical 
composition,  and   many  of   his   tunes  are  as  familiar 


458  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

as  household  words.  The  music  to  the  "  Old,  Old 
Story"  was  composed  under  the  following  circum- 
stances. The  words  were  given  to  Dr.  Doane  in  1866, 
or  1867,  at  Montreal,  by  Maj.  Gen.  Russell,  then  the 
commander  of  the  Queen's  forces  in  Canada.  Gen. 
Russell  had  read  the  words  at  the  farewell  meeting  of 
the  International  Convention  of  the  Y.  M,  C.  A. 
With  others  Dr.  Doane  went  from  Montreal  to  the 
White  Mountains,  and  on  a  stage-coach,  between  the 
Glen  and  the  Crawford  House,  he  wrote  the  music  to 
the  "  Old,  Old  Story."  That  evening  in  the  parlor  at 
the  Crawford  a  little  company  gathered  around  the' 
piano,  and  there  this  sweet  hymn  was  first  sung. 

Safe  in  the  arms  of  Jesus 

was  composed  on  the  railway,  between  Philadelphia 
and  Newark,  while  Dr.  Doane  was  on  his  way  to 
attend  the  International  Sunday-school  Convention  in 
1867. 

Rescue  the  perishing 

was  composed  for  the  anniversary  meeting  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  Association  at  Indianapolis,  and  was  first 
published  in  "Songs  of  Devotion." 

More  like  Jesus  would  I  be 

was  composed  for  an  anniversary  of  the  Howard  Mis- 
sion in  New  York.  The  words  were  written  by  Fanny 
Crosby,  while  on  her  knees  just  after  a  season  of 
prayer. 

Near  the  cross,  a  trembling  soul 

was  written  and  first  sung  from  manuscript  in  Balti- 
more, at  a  public  meeting,  at  which  Dr.  Doane  was 
asked  to  favor  the  audience  with  a  song.  He  hap- 
pened to  have  the  manuscript  in  his  pocket,  and  with 
it  answered  the  invitation.  It  touched  the  hearts  of 
those  present,  and  at  once  became  popular.     Among 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  459 

other  well   known   hymns   for  which   the  music  was 
composed  by  Dr.  Doane,  are  the  following: 

"  Pass  me  not,  O  gentle  Savior," 
"Jesus,  keep  me  near  the  cross," 
"  More  love  to  thee,  O  Christ," 
"  Take  the  name  of  Jesus  with  you." 

Dr.  Doane  has  composed  more  than  six  hundred 
Sunday-school  songs,  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty 
church  and  prayer-meeting  hymns,  and  two  hundred 
and  fifty  other  songs  and  ballads,  beside  anthems,  can- 
tatas, etc. 


CHARLES  W.  RAY. 

1832  . 

Rev.  Charles  W.  Ray,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Burling- 
ton, Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  February  20,  1832.  His 
early  life  was  spent  in  Otselic,  where  he  was  trained 
to  business;  but  at  length,  having  made  himself  famil- 
iar with  most  branches  pursued  in  our  higher  schools 
of  learning,  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  work  of 
the  Christian  ministry,  and  was  ordained  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Otselic,  June  9,  1857.  April 
1,  1859,  he  entered  upon  his  labors  as  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  North  Stonington.  Three 
years  later  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Third 
Baptist  church  in  the  same  town.  Here  he  remained 
four  years,  when  he  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  East  Greenwich,  R.  I.  After  two  years  of 
service  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Jewett  City,  Conn.  Two  years  later  he 
became  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Bristol, 


460  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Conn,  Subsequently  lie  was  employed  by  tbe  Con- 
necticut Baptist  Convention  to  organize  a  new  church 
in  Bridgeport.  In  recent  years  he  has  been  a  mission- 
ary and  agent  of  the  American  Baptist  Publication 
Society,  but  is  now  devoting  himself  to  evangelistic 
work,  in  which  he  has  been  greatly  blessed.  In  1884, 
he  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from 
Monongahela  College,  Jefferson,  Penn. 

Dr.  Ray  is  the  author  of  several  books,  among  them 
a  volume  of  poems  entitled  "Looking  Forward,  or 
Recognition  and  Reunion  in  Heaven."  (J.  B.  Lippin- 
cott  &  Co.,  1885).  With  the  co-operation  of  Charles 
E.  Pryor,  he  compiled  a  book  of  praise  for  the  Sun- 
day-school, entitled  ''Spicy  Breezes,"  including  a  large 
number  of  Dr.  Ray's  own  hymns.  Among  those  in 
this  collection  which  have  been  especially  useful  are 

Jesus  evermore  is  calling, 

and  "  Calvary's  Answer." 

Dr.  Ray  has  written  a  large  number  of  Christmas 
hymns.  The  following  was  recently  published  by 
McCalla  &  Co.,  Philadelphia: 

'T  is  night,  't  is  night,  and  silence  falls 

O'er  shepherd's  fold  and  humble  cot, 
O'er  temples,  towers,  and  city  walls, 

And  all  is  hushed  and  seems  forgot. 
But  from  the  stable  and  the  stall, 

Upon  the  eager  listening  ear, 
A  baby's  gentle  sobbings  fall. 

And  Christ,  the  new-born  King,  is  here ! 

'T  is  night,  't  is  night,  and  from  afar, 

More  bright  than  kingly  diadem. 
Is  seen  the  strange  prophetic  star. 

O'er  David's  city,  Bethlehem; 
The  Prince  of  Life,  the  King  Supreme, 

At  whose  behest  the  worlds  were  made, 
Who  comes  his  people  to  redeem, 

Is  in  the  lowly  manger  laid. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  461 

'T  is  night,  't  is  night,  and  watchful  eyes 

Behold  the  shining  angel  throng. 
Descending  from  the  starry  skies 

With  joyous  shout  and  grateful  song. 
The  shepherds  leave  their  flocks  to  see 

What  wondrous  things  the  Lord  hath  done, 
And  who  the  infant  Prince  can  be  I 

'Tis  Jesus,  God's  incarnate  SonI 

'T  is  night,  't  is  night!  and  yet  the  songs 

Are  heard  o'er  all  the  Bethlehem  hills. 
While  echo  sweet  each  note  prolongs. 

And  every  heart  with  rapture  thrills. 
What  wondrous  strains,  what  glad  refrains 

Of  holy  angels  from  on  high, 
Besounding  o'er  Judea's  plains. 

And  through  the  blue  ethereal  skyl 


WILLIAM  S.  McKENZIE. 

1832  . 

Rev.  William  Scott  McKenzie,  d.d.,  was  born 
of  Scotch  parents,  February  29,  1832,  in  Liverpool, 
Nova  Scotia.  When  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  he 
was  converted  and  received  as  a  member  of  a  small 
Baptist  church  in  his  native  town.  Two  years  later 
he  attended,  at  Wolfville,  the  academy  which  has  been 
made  somewhat  famous  by  the  late  Professor  James 
De  Mille's  series  of  publications  known  as  the  "B.  0. 
W.  C.  Books."  Here  young  McKenzie  pursued  his 
college  preparatory  studies,  and  was  matriculated  at 
Acadia  College,  Wolfville.  But  before  his  first  year 
in  college  closed  his  health  became  impaired,  and  he 
went  to  Boston.  Here,  in  about  six  months,  he 
regained  his  health,  but  instead  of  returning  to  Wolf- 
ville, he  resumed  study  at  Worcester  Academy,  Wor- 
cester, Mass.,  where  he  passed  a  year  in  obtaining  a 


462  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

more    thorough    j)reparation    for   college.      He    then 
entered  Harvard  University,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1855.      The  two  subsequent  years  he    spent 
at  the  Newton  Theological  Institution.     In  April,  1857, 
he  w\as  ordained,  and  supplied  for  awhile   the    Baptist 
church  in  East  Abington,  Mass.     In  1858,  he  accepted 
a   call    to    the    pastorate    of   the    Baptist    church  in 
Andover,  Mass.,  where   he  availed  himself  of  advan- 
tages for  further  theological  study.      While  in  Ando- 
ver, at  the  suggestion  of  the  late  Dr.  H.  B.  Hackett, 
he  prepared  for  publication  a  series  of  Sunday-school 
question  books  on  the  Life   of  Christ.     These   books 
had  a  large   sale,  reaching  an  issue  of  nearly  ninety 
thousand  copies.     From  Andover  Mr.  McKenzie  was 
called  in  1860,  to  the  pastorate  of  Friendship   Street 
Baptist  church,  Providence,  R.  I.     Here  he  remained 
until  1866,  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health, 
and  spent  the  following  year  in  seeking  restoration  in 
the  rugged  climate   of  Miramichi,  on  the  Gulf  of  St. 
Lawrence.     He  then  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  Leinster  Street  Baptist  church  in  St.  John,  N. 
B.     Here  he  spent  six  years,  when  he  was  called  by 
the  board  of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union 
to  the  office  of  district  secretary  for  New  England,  in 
which  service   he   is   still  eno-ao-ed.      The   deorree    of 
doctor   of   divinity  was  conferred   upon    him   by  La 
Grange  College. 

Dr.  McKenzie  has  written  much  for  the  periodical 
press,  both  religious  and  secular.  While  at  St.  John, 
he  largely  aided  in  editorial  work  on  the  Christian 
Visitor.  For  almost  ten  years  he  was  connected  with 
Dr.  J.  N.  Murdock  in  editing  the  Missionary  Magazine. 
He  has  also  published,  from  time  to  time,  considerable 
religious  poetry.  But  his  principal  work  in  this  line 
has  been  translations  of  early  and  mediaeval  Latin 
hymns,  many  of  which  have  appeared  in  print,  and 
have  been  highly  commended  for  their  literary  excel- 
lence, as  well  as  their  fidelity  to  the  original.  Among 
them   are   the   following:  Hildebert's   Hymn   to  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  463 

Trinity,  two  versions  of  the  Stabat  Mater  Speciosa, 
and  two  of  the  Stabat  Mater  Dolorosa,  and  two  ver- 
sions of  the  Dies  Irse.  In  all,  he  has  prepared  transla- 
tions, which,  with  his  historical  notes,  would  make 
quite  a  volume  if  collected  and  published  together. 
Such  a  volume  may  be  expected  ere  long.  Some  of 
these  translations  have  found  a  place  in  the  new  *■'  Can- 
adian Baptist  Hymnal." 

The  following  is  one  of  Dr.  McKenzie's  translations 
of  the  Dies  Irse,  a  hymn  written  probably  by  Thomas 
of  Celano,  an  Italian,  who  died  about  the  year  1255 : 

Day  of  wrath  and  consternation! 
World-wide  sweeps  that  conflagration 
Long  foretold  by  inspiration." 

Sudden  fear  on  men  is  fallingi 
For  the  Judge,  to  judgment  calling, 
Searcheth  all  with  gaze  appalling. 

Peals  the  trumpet's  blast  of  wonder; 
Bursting  every  tomb  asunder; 
Citing  all  with  voice  of  thunder. 

Death  and  Nature,  awestruck,  quaking, 
See  the  sleeping  dead  awaking 
At  the  call  the  Judge  is  making. 

God's  own  book  of  registration 
Bears  impartial  attestation 
In  the  great  adjudication. 

On  his  throne  the  Judge  is  dealing 
With  each  hidden  deed  and  feeling; 
Wrath  against  all  wrong  revealing. 

What  for  me  can  be  expected, 
By  no  patron's  plea  protected. 
Where  the  just  may  be  rejected? 

O  thou  King  of  awful  splendor — 
Yet  a  Savior,  loving,  tender, 
Source  of  love!  be  my  defender. 

Blessed  Jesus!  my  salvation. 
Brought  thee  down  from  exaltation: 
Kescue  me  from  reprobation. 


464  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"Worn  and  wasted  thou  hast  sought  me; 
With  thy  death-pangs  thou  hast  bought  me; 
Shield  the  hope  such  anguish  brought  me. 

Stay,  just  Judge,  thine  indignation; 
Grant  me  pardon  and  salvation 
Ere  the  judgment  proclamation. 

Bowed  with  guilt  my  soul  is  groaning; 
Guilt  ray  crimsoned  face  is  owning  — 
Spare,  O  God,  a  suppliant  moaning. 

Mary  found  in  thee  remission; 
Thou  didst  heed  the  thief's  petition: 
Hope  may  I  in  my  contrition. 

Never  can  my  prayers  commend  me; 

Graciously  wilt  thou  befriend  me, 

And  from  quenchless  flames  defend  me. 

When  the  sheep  shall  be  selected, 
Severed  from  the  goats  rejected. 
Raise  me  to  thy  right  perfected. 

When  thy  foes  in  flames  are  wailing, 
Where  all  cries  are  unavailing, 
Summon  me  to  joys  unfailing. 

Low  before  thee  I  am  bending; 
Sharp  remorse  my  soul  is  rending: 
Succor  me  when  life  is  ending. 

On  that  day  of  woe  and  weeping. 
When  from  dust  where  he  is  sleeping, 
Man  shall  wake  and  rise  to  meet  thee, 
Spare  him!   Jesus,  I  entreat  thee. 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  465 

THERON  BROWN. 

1832  . 

Rev.  Tiieron  Brow:n'  was  born  in  Willimantic, 
Conn.,  April  29,  1832.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale 
College  in  1856,  and  entered  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  Hartford,  Conn.,  where  he  remained  two 
years.  An  added  year  was  spent  in  theological  study 
at  Newton  Theological  Institution,  where  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1859.  December  15,  1859,  he  was  ordained 
and  settled  as  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  South 
Framingham,  Mass.  From  1863,  to  1870,  he  was  pas- 
tor of  the  Baptist  church  in  Canton,  Mass.  Since 
1870,  he  has  been  connected  with  the  editorial  depart- 
ment of  the  Youth's  Companion,  but  has  been  a  fre- 
quent contributor,  both  of  poetry  and  prose,  to  other 
journals,  secular  and  religious.  He  resides  in  Nor- 
wood, Mass. 

One  of  his  contributions  to  the  Watchman,  a  hymn 
entitled  "Immanuel's  Banner,"  was  included  in  "Se- 
lect Songs"  (Biglow  &  Main,  1884),  with  music  by 
Rev.  George  C.  Phipps.  He  has  also  five  hymns  in 
"Songs  of  Delight"  (Parvin  &  Dowling  1875),  viz.: 

"  Ring  out  5'our  pure  hosannas," 
"  Go  on,  go  on,  my  brother," 
"  Like  stars  that  hide  at  morning," 
"  What  though  I  'ra  but  a  child," 
"Life's  annual  twelve  o'clock." 

Mr.  Brown  has  also  written  a  large  number  of  hymns 
for  the  choir  and  male  quartette  of  the  Ruggles  Street 
Baptist  church,  Boston,  Mass. ;  among  them, 

"  O  short  was  his  slumberl  he  woke  from  the  dust," 

"  The  sun  and  stars  may  cease  to  shine," 

"  Bright  star  of  the  Savior!  how  clear  was  its  flame." 
30 


466  BAPTIST  HYMIN"  WRITERS 

The  following  liymn,  written  by  Mr.  Brown,  was 
sung  at  the  Easter  service  in  the  Ruggles  Street 
church  in  1882: 

He  rose!  O  morn  of  wonder  I 

They  saw  his  sun  go  down, 
Whose  hate  had  crushed  him  under, 

A  King  without  a  crown. 
'         No  plume,  no  garland  wore  he; 

Despised  Death's  victor  lay; 
And  wrapped  in  night  his  glory, 

That  claimed  a  grander  day. 

He  rose!  What  splendor  breaking 

On  sorrow's  midnight  hour  I 
'T  was  life  divine,  the  waking 

Of  Jesus'  slumb'ring  power. 
'Twas  love,  his  promise  keeping, 

That  triumphed  o'er  the  grave ; 
He  would  not  leave  them  weeping 

Whose  souls  he  came  to  save. 

He  rose!    He  burst  immortal 

From  Death's  dark  realm  alone, 
And  left  its  heavenward  portal 

Swung  wide  for  all  his  own. 
Nor  need  one  terror  seize  us 

To  face  earth's  final  pain. 
For  they  who  follow  Jesus, 

But  die  to  live  again. 

He  rose!     O'er  sin  and  sadness 

The  weakest  saint  is  strong. 
Who  knows  that  word  of  gladness 

And  sings  that  angel  song. 
For  life,  whate'er  befall  us, 

Is  Christ,  and  death  is  gain ; 
And  soon  his  voice  will  call  us 

With  him  to  rise  and  reign. 

Some  of  Mr.  Brown's  poems  have  had  a  very  wide 
circulation,  among  them  "The  Battle  Above  the 
Clouds,"  "Willie's  Signal  for  Jesus,"  "The  Rajah's 
Clock."  He  has  also  frequently  been  invited  to  read 
poems  at  academic  and  other  literary  festivals. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  467 

WILLIAM  C.  WILKINSON. 

1833  . 


William  Cleaver  Wilkinson,  d.d.,  was  born  in 
Westford,  Vt.,  October  19,  1833.  He  was  graduated 
at  the  University  of  Rochester,  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  in 
1857,  and  at  Rochester  Theological  Seminary  in  1859. 
After  his  graduation  he  visited  Great  Britain,  and  on 
his  return,  in  November,  1859,  he  became  pastor  of 
the  Wooster  Place  Baptist  church,  New  Haven, 
Conn.  On  account  of  ill  health  he  resigned  his 
pastorate  in  1861,  and  again  went  abroad.  On  his 
return  in  1863,  he  became  professor  ad  interim  of 
modern  languages  in  the  University  of  Rochester. 
Not  long  after  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the 
Mount  Auburn  Baptist  church  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Resigning  this  pastorate  in  1866,  he  opened  a  private 
school  at  Tarry  town,  N.  Y.  In  1872,  he  was  elected 
professor  of  homiletics  and  pastoral  theology  in 
Rochester  Theological  Seminary,  a  position  which  he 
filled  with  marked  ability  until  1882,  when  he 
resigned.  He  has  since  devoted  himself  entirely  to 
literary  work.  In  1871,  he  was  offered  the  chair  of 
the  German  language  and  literature  in  the  University 
of  Michigan,  and  that  of  English  literature  in  1873. 
In  the  same  year  the  University  of  Rochester  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  honorary  degree  of  doctor  of 
divinity. 

Dr.  Wilkinson  is  a  master  of  clear  and  vigorous 
English,  and  his  writings  are  characterized  by  excellent 
judgment  and  a  pleasing  style.  He  is  the  author  of 
"The  Dance  of  Modern  Society"  (1868),  "A  Free 
Lance  in  the  Field  of  Life  and  Letters"  (1874),  "Pre- 
paratory Greek  Course  in  English  "  (1882),  "Prepar- 
atory Latin  Course  in  English"  (1883),  "College 
Greek  Course  in  English"  (1884),  "College  Latin 
Course  in  English"  (1885),  "Classic  French  Course  in 


468  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

English"  (1887),  a  volume  of  "Poems"  (1883),   and 
'•  Edwin  Arnold  as  Poetizer  and  as  Paganizer  "  (1885). 
The  following  anniversary  hymn  by  Dr.  Wilkinson 
is  from  his  volume  of  "  Poems": 

O  thou  with  whom  a  thousand  years 

And  a  swift  day  are  one, 
Behold,  our  human  hopes  and  fears 

A  little  round  have  run. 

Hopes  for  thy  cause,  ennobling  hopes  I 

How  foolish  all  the  fears! 
Shamed  Avere  a  faith  that  droops  and  gropes, 

Since  such  accomplished  years. 

Our  hearts  are  large  with  thankfulness ; 

We  glory  in  the  Lord; 
His  Spirit  doth  our  spirits  press 

As  we  his  grace  record. 

Short  rest  in  camp,  then  forth  for  fight! 

"Welcome  the  long  campaign! 
Guided  with  meekness  and  with  might, 

Spread  we  Immanuel's  reign. 

Like  the  blue  bending  firmament, 

That  kingdom  yet  must  span, 
From  shore  to  shore,  a  continent. 

Redeemed  to  God  for  man. 

Of  this  hymn  the  Boston  Courier,  May  13  ,1883, 
said  :  "  The  'Anniversary  Hymn  '  has  the  right  tone  to 
it,  and  might  have  come  to  us  from  the  hymn-making 
era  of  the  evangelical  awakening  of  the  last  century." 
A  "  Dedication  Hymn,"  commencing 

What  we  have  builded,  Lord,  be  thine, 

is  in  the  same  collection.  It  was  used  at  the  dedica- 
tion of  Rockefeller  Hall,  at  Rochester,  and  of  Toronto 
Baptist  College,  Toronto,  Canada. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  469 

CHARLES  H.  ROWE. 

1834  . 


Rev.  Charles  Henry  Rowe  was  born  in  Guilford, 
Me.,  January  19,  1834,  but  his  family  and  childhood 
home  was  in  New  Gloucester,  Me.  Here,  when  thir- 
teen years  of  age,  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Joseph 
Ricker,  d.d.,  then  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
that  place.  He  was  graduated  at  Colby  University  in 
1858,  and  at  Newton  Theological  Institution  in  1861. 
Auo-ust  29,  1861,  he  was  ordained,  and  became  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Holyoke,  Mass.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Augusta,  Me.  In  1864,  he  resigned 
in  order  to  accept  a  chaplaincy  in  the  army.  In 
1866,  he  returned  to  pastoral  work  at  the  Stoughton 
Street  Baptist  church,  Boston.  Here  he  remained 
until  1871,  when  he  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  Weymouth.  His  subsequent  pastorates  have 
been,  WoUaston  Heights,  1874-8;  Cambridgeport, 
1878-81;  Mystic  River,  Conn.,  1881-4;  and  Whit- 
man, Mass.,  1885-8. 

From  his  mother,  a  woman  of  superior  mind  and 
deep  devotional  spirit,  he  inherited  a  fine  literary  taste 
and  a  special  love  for  hymns  sweet  with  the  perfume 
of  gospel  grace  and  truth.  Beside  many  contributions 
to  the  religious  press,  he  has  written  several  hymns 
and  poems  that  have  been  widely  circulated.  One  of 
these,  "  At  Rest,"  is  found  in  a  volume  of  "  Poems  on 
the  Death  of  President  Garfield,"  published  by  Moses 
King,  Cambridge,  1881.  In  1886,  the  following  hymn 
appeared  in  the  Watchman,  and  has  since  been 
included  in  Rev.  W.  E.  Penn's  "Harvest  Bells,  No.  1," 
published  by  the  John  Church  Company,  Cincinnati, 
Ohio, 


470  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Nearer,  0  Christ,  to  thee, 

Nearer  to  thee; 
In  love  and  by  thy  cross 

Thou  drawest  me; 
While  all  my  prayer  shall  be, 
Nearer,  O  Christ,  to  thee. 

Nearer  to  thee. 

In  the  wide  wilderness 

Of  sin  astray, 
A  wanderer  far  from  God, 

Lost  in  the  way; 
But  by  thy  grace  I  '11  be 
Nearer,  O  Christ,  to  thee. 

Nearer  to  thee. 

By  thee  the  way  appears 
That  leads  to  heaven, 

And  in  the  gospel  word 
Is  mercy  given; 

Thy  love  it  calleth  me 

Nearer,  O  Christ,  to  thee. 
Nearer  to  thee. 

Redeemed  by  precious  blood 
From  sin  and  death, 

The  Spirit's  quickening  power 
A  living  breath, 

By  faith  I  live  to  be 

Nearer,  O  Christ,  to  thee. 
Nearer  to  thee. 

And  when  from  earthly  care 
Thou  bidst  me  come, 

And  in  thy  presence  find 
My  heavenly  home, 

There  shall  I  ever  be 

Nearer,  O  Christ,  to  thee. 
Nearer  to  thee. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  471 

JOSEPH  HENRY  GILMORE. 

1834  . 

The  author  of  the  familiar  hymn 

He  leadeth  me,  O  blessed  thought, 

was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  April  29,  1834.  Having 
graduated  at  Phillips  Academy,  Andover,  Mass.,  he 
entered  Brown  University  in  1854,  where  he  was  grad- 
uated with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class,  in  1858. 
In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  he  commenced  his 
theological  course  at  Newton  Theological  Institution, 
and  was  graduated  in  1861.  The  following  year  he 
spent  at  Newton  as  instructor  in  Hebrew.  He  was 
ordained  June  19,  1862,  and  accepted  the  pastorate  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  Fisherville,  N.  H.  In  1863,  and 
1864,  while  his  father  was  governor  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, he  was  his  father's  private  secretary,  and  also 
editor  of  the  Concord  Daily  Monitor.  In  1865,  he 
accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Second  Baptist 
church  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  In  1867,  he  was  acting 
professor  of  Hebrew  in  Rochester  Theological  Sem- 
inary. January  1,  1868,  he  entered  upon  the  profess- 
orship of  logic,  rhetoric  and  English  literature  in 
the  IJniversity  of  Rochester,  a  position  which  he  still 
holds. 

For  many  years  he  has  been  a  regular  editorial 
contributor  to  the  Examiner.  Beside  review  articles, 
he  has  published  an  admirable  elementary  textrbook 
on  rhetoric,  entitled  "The  Art  of  Expression"  (1876). 
Professor  Gilmore  is  also  the  author  of  several  hymns. 
One  of  these  commences 

My  trembling  soul  to  Jesus  turned. 

Of  another  the  first  lines  are 

We  dedicate  to  Jesus 
Our  pleasant  Sabbath  home. 


472  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Still    <anotlier   is   the   hymn   to    which  reference    has 
already  been  made  : 

He  leadeth  me!  Oh  blessed  thought, 

Oh,  words  with  heavenly  comfort  fraught! 

What  e'er  I  do,  where'er  I  be, 

Still  't  is  God's  hand  that  leadeth  me. 

Concerning  the  origin  of  this  hymn  the  author  gives 
the  following  very  interesting  account: 

"  The  hymn  was  written  in  the  spring  of  1862,  at 
the  residence  of  Dea.  Thomas  Wattson,  Philadelphia. 
I  had  been  talking,  at  the  Wednesday  evening  lecture 
of  the  First  Baptist  church,  about  the  twenty-third 
Psalm,  and  had  been  especially  impressed  with  the 
blessedness  of  being  led  by  God,  of  the  mere  fact  of 
his  leadership  altogether  apart  from  the  way  in  which 
he  led  us,  and  what  he  was  leading  us  to.  At  the 
close  of  the  service  we  adjourned  to  Dea.  Wattson's 
pleasant  home,  at  which  I  was  stopping,  and  still  held 
before  our  minds  and  hearts  the  thouo-lit  wliich  I  had 
just  emphasized.  During  the  conversation,  in  which 
Deacon  Wattson  and  his  wife,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton Butler,  and,  I  think,  one  or  two  others  participated, 
the  blessedness  of  God's  leadership  so  grew  upon  me 
that  I  took  out  my  pencil,  wrote  the  hymn  just  as  it 
stands  to-day,  handed  it  to  my  wife,  and  thought  no 
more  of  it.  She  sent  it,  without  my  knowledge,  to 
the  Watchman  and  Reflector,  and  there  it  first  ap- 
peared in  print.  Three  years  later  I  went  to  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y.,  to  preach  for  the  Second  Baptist  church. 
President  Anderson  took  me  to  their  place  of  worship 
on  the  day  after  my  arrival,  and,  on  entering  the 
chapel,  I  took  up  a  hymn-book,  thinking,  'I  wonder 
what  they  sing ! '  The  book  opened  at  '  He  leadeth 
me,'  and  that  was  the  first  time  I  knew  my  hymn  had 
found  a  place  among  the  songs  of  the  church.  I  shall 
never  forget  the  impression  made  upon  me  by  coming 
in  contact  then  and  there  with  my  own  assertion  of 
God's   blessed  leadership.     This  is  the  story  of  'He 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  473 

leadeth  me '  substantially  as  I  told  it  when  first  asked 
to  tell  it,  except  that  I  then  said  (which  shows  how 
little  the  fact  of  authorship  impressed  me),  'The 
refrain  has  since  been  added  by  another  hand.'  After- 
ward I  found  among  my  deceased  wife's  papers  the 
original  copy  of  the  hymn  (Mrs.  Dr.  Anderson  has  it 
now),  and  was  surprised  to  find  that  I  wrote  the 
refrain  myself." 

The  lamented  William  B.  Bradbury  probably  found 
this  hymn  in  the  columns  of  the  Watchman  and 
Reflector,  and  for  it  he  composed  the  very  appropriate 
music  with  which  Professor  Gilmore's  words  have  ever 
since  been  associated.  There  is  hardly  a  collection  of 
hymns  now  in  use  in  which  "He  leadeth  me"  is  not 
found.  Translated  into  other  languages  it  has  gone 
round  the  world.  Missionaries  have  taught  it  to  their 
converts.  Rev.  S.  Dryden  Phelps,  d.d.,  says,  it  is  a 
general  favorite  in  the  McAll  Mission  in  Paris.  The 
refrain  in  the  Swedish  version  is  as  follows : 

Han  leder  migl  Han  leder  mig! 
Ja,  med  sin  hand  han  leder  mig! 
Ach,  att  jag  troget  foljde  da 
Den  hand  som  huldt  mig  leder  sa. 

Indeed  there  is  abundant  evidence  that  this  hymn  has 
been  and  still  is  a  comfort  to  multitudes  of  God's 
children  in  all  their  circumstances  in  life ;  and  it  can- 
not fail  to  remain  long  a  prized  possession  of  the 
Christian  church. 

The  following  hymn  by  Professor  Gilmore  was 
written  in  1885 : 

Tenderly  the  Father  greets  us 

As  we  leave  the  haunts  of  sin; 
On  our  homeward  way  he  meets  us, 

Folds  us  safe  his  arms  within. 

Though  his  substance  we  have  wasted, 
Though  in  devious  paths  we  've  trod. 

Though  sin's  vilest  dregs  we've  tasted, 
He  forgives  —  for  he  is  God. 


474  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

No  upbraiding  mars  his  giving, 
No  reproach  for  follies  done, 

Listen  to  the  Everliving: 
"  'T  is  my  son  —  my  long  lost  son." 

Ah!  't  is  more  than  human  kindness 
Prompts  the  welcome  we  receive. 

This  is  love !  What  worse  than  blindness 
E'er  our  Father's  heart  to  grieve. 

Vainly  'gainst  our  sins  we  've  striven, 

Toiled — and  failed —  neath  duty's  rod; 
Now  a  truer  light  is  given, 
And  we  simply  rest  in  God. 

All's  forgiven  —  na}-^,  forgotten; 
Once  again,  we  rest  in  God. 


HENRY  L.  MOREHOUSE. 

1834  . 

Rev.  Henry  Lyman  Morehouse,  d.d.,  was  born 
October  2,  1834,  in  Stanford,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y. 
His  father  and  grandfather  were  natives  of  Fairfield 
County,  Conn.,  and  were  members  and  deacons  of 
Baptist  churches.  At  the  age  of  twelve  he  removed 
with  his  parents  and  an  only  brother  to  Avon,  Living- 
ston County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  reared  in  the  habits 
of  industry  incident  to  a  thrifty  farmer's  life.  His 
academic  course  was  taken  at  Genesee  Wesleyan  Sem- 
inary, a  few  miles  from  his  home,  and  his  collegiate 
course  at  the  University  of  Rochester,  Rochester,  N. 
Y.,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1858.  He  was 
converted  early  in  1857,  and  united  soon  after  with 
the  Baptist  church  in  Avon.  After  the  death  of  his 
father  in  1859,  he  remained  on  the  farm  about  two 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  475 

years,  when,  believing  that  he  was  called  to  the  work 
of  the  Christian  ministry,  he  entered,  in  1861,  the 
Rochester  Theological  Seminary,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1864. 

After  a  few  weeks  spent  in  Virginia,  in  the  service- 
of  the  Christian  Commission,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  at  East  Saginaw, 
Mich.,  then  a  typical  frontier  city,  full  of  speculation 
in  lumber  and  salt.  Here  he  remained  over  eight 
years,  the  first  two  of  which  he  was  a  missionary  of 
the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society,  preach- 
ing frequently  in  the  adjacent  settlements.  He  was 
a  trustee  of  Kalamazoo  College,  and  of  the  Baptist 
Union  Theological  Seminary  at  Chicago,  and  president 
of  the  Michigan  Baptist  State  Convention.  Early  in 
1873,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  East 
Avenue  Baptist  church  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  a  new 
interest,  of  which  he  was  the  first  settled  pastor.  He 
was  soon  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees 
of  Rochester  Theological  Seminary,  and  from  1877,  to 
1879,  in  addition  to  his  pastoral  duties,  he  was  corre- 
sponding secretary  of  the  institution.  In  May,  1879, 
he  was  elected  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Amer- 
ican Baptist  Home  Mission  Society,  and  entered  upon 
the  duties  of  this  office  in  July  following.  The 
*' Seven  Years'  Survey,"  presented  to  the  vsociety  in 
1886,  shows  what  unprecedented  strides  the  society 
had  made  during  this  period.  Dr.  Morehouse  con- 
tinues to  fill  this  arduous  and  most  responsible  posi- 
tion. The  honorary  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  was 
conferred  upon  him  by  the  University  of  Rochester 
in  1879. 

The  poetical  element  in  Dr.  Morehouse's  nature 
found  occasional  expression  during  his  college  course, 
and  led  to  his  election  as  alumni  poet  for  1874.  The 
poem  which  he  delivered  on  that  occasion,  entitled 
"Problems  of  Being,"  is  his  most  elaborate  produc- 
tion.    Several  hymns  written  by  him  have  found  their 


476  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

way  into    the  papers,  and  have    been  widely  repro- 
duced.    Among  them  is  the  following: 

Friend  of  sinners,  hear  my  plea, 
God  be  merciful  to  me; 
Sinful  though  my  heart  be  found, 
Let  thy  grace  much  more  abound; 
In  the  riches  of  thy  grace 
Finds  my  soul  its  resting-place. 

Thou,  my  Advocate  with  God, 
Grant  forgiveness  through  thy  blood; 
With  my  heart  I  now  believe, 
Thy  atonement  I  receive; 
Freely  with  my  mouth  confess 
Thee,  my  Lord,  my  Righteousness. 

Now  I  glory  in  thy  cross. 
What  was  gain  I  count  my  loss. 
Count  but  shame  my  former  pride, 
Self  with  thee  is  crucified; 
Cleanse  me,  clothe  me  in  the  dress 
Of  thy  spotless  righteousness. 

Trusting  thee,  O  Christ,  my  King, 
Shall  my  soul  thy  praises  sing; 
Saved  by  thee,  thou  Holy  One, 
l^ot  by  works  which  I  have  done ; 
Heart  and  tongue  confess  again, 
Thine  the  glory,  Lord.  Amen. 

This  hymn  was  first  published  in  the  Examiner,  from 
which  it  was  transferred  to  "  Good  as  Gold,"  and  in 
1883,  with  the  omission  of  the  third  stanza,  to  the 
"Baptist  Hymnal."  It  has  been  exceedingly  helpful 
to  many  souls.  Two  other  hymns  by  Dr.  Morehouse, 
commencing 

No  room  in  thy  heart  for  the  Savior  of  men  ? 

and 

"Simon  Peter,  dost  thou  love  me?"  thrice  the  searching  question 
came, 

also  first  appeared  in  the  Examiner.     Another  hymn 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  477 

by  Dr.  Morehouse  was  sung  April  20,  1869,  on  the 
first  anniversary  of  the  dedication  of  the  house  of 
worship  of  the  First  Baptist  church.  East  Saginaw, 
Mich.  Dr.  Morehouse  is  also  the  author  of  a  hymn 
entitled  "Prayers,  Means,  and  Men  for  Mexico," 
commencino: 

For  kindred,  country,  church,  we  pray, 

For  distant  lands  in  sin  and  woe 
Prayers  rise  like  incense.     Yet,  today, 

Where  are  the  prayers  for  Mexico  ? 

This  hymn,   written  and  extensively  circulated  in 

1886,  stirred  many  hearts  to  deeper  sympathy  for 
mission  work  in  that  priest-ridden  land.  Yet  another 
hymn,  written  by  Dr.  Morehouse,  and  entitled  "  Led 
About,"    appeared    in   Zion's    Advocate,   January   5, 

1887,  commencing 

Here  I  wander,  while  I  wonder 

What  the  Lord's  ways  mean  for  me. 


MRS.  ANNIE  S.  HAWKS. 

1835  . 

Who  is  not  familiar  with  the  hymn 

I  need  thee  every  hour  ? 

It  was  written  by  Mrs.  Hawks,  and  with  fitting  music, 
composed  by  Rev.  Robert  Lowry,  D.D.,  it  was  first  suno- 
at  the  National  Baptist  Sunday  School  Convention  in 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  November  20,  1872.  Since  that  time 
it  has  found  its  way  into  many  church  hymnals,  and  it 
has  been  translated  and  sung  in  many  foreign  lan- 
guages. Rev.  W.  J.  Batt,  chaplain  of  the  state  prison 
at  Concord,  Mass.,  tells  how  an  ex-prisoner,  who  had 
never  had  a  home  of  his  own,  prepared  a  home,  hum- 


478  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

ble  but  tasteful,  and  then  asked  the  chaplain  to  come 
and  help  him  dedicate  it.  Together  they  entered  the 
home — the  man's  wife  had  not  yet  come  —  and  the 
service  began.  ^"'Mr.  B.,"  says  the  chaplain,  "with 
evident  brokenness  of  spirit,  for  he  was  naturally  a 
proud  man  and  not  unacquainted  with  larger  sur- 
roundings, could  not  refrain  from  some  criticism  upon 
his  poor  things ;  but  his  heart  was  so  full  that  his 
embarrassment  was  only  temporary,  and  he  immedi- 
ately went  on  with  a  firm  purpose.  For  the  first 
number  of  the  service  he  started  the  hymn 

I  need  thee  every  hour. 

Many  hymns  are  probably  localized  for  us  in  such  a 
sense  that  they  are  especially  and  harmoniously  asso- 
ciated in  our  own  thought  with  some  place  where, 
under  striking  circumstances,  we  have  heard  them 
effectively  sung.  For  me  this  hymn  is  likely  always 
henceforth  to  be  associated  with  the  dedication  of  Mr. 
B's  home." 

Mrs.  Hawks  was  born  in  Hoosick,  N.  Y.,  May  28, 
1835.  For  many  years  she  has  been  a  resident  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Here  about  the  year  1868,  her 
pastor,  Rev.  Robert  Lowry,  d.d.,  discovered  her  gift 
as  a  hymn-writer,  and  induced  her  to  exercise  it  for 
the  advancement  of  the  cause  of  Christ.  One  of  the 
first  of  her  hymns  was  the  following  : 

Why  weepest  thou  ? 

Whom  seekest  thou  ? 
O  wouldst  thou  see  our  Jesus  ? 

Behold  him  near, 

He  marks  each  tear, 
Our  blessed,  loving  Jesus. 

Why  weepest  thou, 

Why  seekest  thou, 
With  doubting  and  repining? 

O  lift  thine  eye! 

Thou  shalt  descry 
His  raiment  near  thee  shining. 


AXD  THEIR  HYMNS.  479 

Believe  him  now; 

Receive  him  now; 
Look  up,  with  faith  and  meekness, 

To  Jesus'  blood 

Which  freely  flowed 
For  all  thy  sin  and  weakness. 

Believest  thou  ? 

Cease  weejjing  now  — 
Thy  soul  he  will  deliver; 

The  cross  he  bore, 

Our  sins  he  wore, 
And  nailed  them  there  forever. 

This  hymn  first  appeared  in  "  Bright  Jewels  '*  with 
music  by  Dr.  Lowry,  and  has  been  transferred  to  other 
collections.  Of  her  other  hymns,  the  following  are 
best  known : 

"  I  am  the  Lord's  and  he  is  mine," 
"  Lord,  let  me  live  for  thee,  for  thee," 
"Who  '11  be  the  next  to  follow  Jesus,'' 
"  What  can  wash  away  my  stain." 


D.  HAYDEN  LLOYDE. 

1835  . 

Mr.  D.  Hatden  Lloyde  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Mass.,  June  11,  1835.  Three  years  later  his  parents 
removed  to  the  west,  and  settled  in  Bureau  County, 
Illinois.  As  a  child  he  evinced  decided  musical  tal- 
ent, and  he  early  received  musical  instruction  from 
his  father,  who  was  a  music  teacher,  as  well  as  a 
schoolmaster.  When  eleven  years  of  age  he  sang 
alto  in  a  church  choir,  and  later  he  became  a  leader  of 
singing  in  church  and  Sunday-school.     At  length  he 


480  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

made  the  acquaintance  of  P.  P.  Bliss,  from  whom  he 
received  inspiration  and  encouragement,  and  for  sev- 
eral years  he  devoted  himself  to  the  study  and  teach- 
inu;  of  vocal  music.  Afterward  he  conducted  musical 
institutes  and  conventions,  and  for  many  years  he 
gave  special  attention  to  music  for  Sunday-schools. 
Since  1874,  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Champaign,  111. 

Mr.  Lloyde  has  written  many  Sunday-school  hymns, 
which,  with  music  of  his  own  composition,  have  been 
published  in  "Songs  of  Faith,"  "Shining  Light," 
"  Fount  of  Blessing,"  "  Royal  Songs,"  "  Glorious 
Tidings,'*  "River  of  Life,"  "Shining  River,"  "Songs 
of  Love,"  and  other  works. 

The  following  hymn,  written  by  Mr.  Lloyde,  is  enti- 
tled "Mighty  to  Save,"  and  was  first  published  in  the 
Sunday  School  Times: 

Lead  me,  O  thou  precious  Savior, 

Safely  lead  by  thine  own  hand, 
Speak,  I  come  to  thee  for  guidance, 

Traveling  to  the  heavenly  land. 
Safe  Supporter,  sure  Deliverer, 

Cleanse  me  by  thy  power  divine. 

Brought  by  grace  to  see  the  fountain 

From  which  cleansing  waters  flow, 
I  would  trust  thee  now  and  ever; 

Guide  and  bless  me  while  below. 
"  Rock  of  ages,  cleft  for  me, 

Let  me  hide  myself  in  thee." 

While  I  live  and  through  death's  valley, 

Lead  me  to  the  other  side; 
Bid  my  cares  and  fears  to  vanish, 

Though  the  storms  of  life  abide; 
Safely  to  the  haven  guide  me, 

"  O  receive  my  soul  at  last." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  481 

JAMES  W.  WILLMARTH. 

1835  . 

Rev.  James  W.  Willmarth  was  born  in  Paris, 
France,  December  23,  1835.  His  father,  Rev.  Isaac 
M.  Willmarth,  was  the  first  American  Baptist  mission- 
ary in  France.  His  early  education  was  greatly  im- 
peded by  a  supposed  affection  of  the  eyes,  but  his 
thirst  for  knowledge  led  him  to  surmount  formidable 
obstacles.  Having  been  baptized  at  Grafton,  Vt.,  in 
1848,  he  studied  theology  with  his  father  by  help  of  a 
reader.  His  first  service  was  in  Chicago,  as  a  mission- 
ary colporteur  of  the  American  Baptist  Publication 
Society.  July  26,  18G0,  he  was  ordained  at  Aurora, 
111.  His  pastorates  have  been  at  Metamora,  111., 
Amenia,  N.  Y.,  Wakefield,  Mass.,  Pemberton,  N.  J., 
and  Roxborough,  Philadelphia,  where  he  still  remains. 

Mr.  Willmarth  is  the  author  of  several  articles  in 
the  Baptist  Quarterly.  He  has  published  also  a 
sermon  on  "Election,"  preached  as  the  doctrinal  ser- 
mon before  the  Philadelphia  Association  in  1880;  also 
"In  the  Name  of  Jesus,"  a  small  pamphlet,  published 
by  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society.  In  the 
"Baptist  Praise  Book"  (1872)  is  a  hymn  (740)  by  Mr. 
Willmarth,  commencing 

O  Father,  Lord  of  earth  and  heaven. 

Its  four  stanzas  are  from  a  hymn  of  six  stanzas,  writ- 
ten in  1867,  and  first  sung  June  30,  1867,  at  a  bap- 
tism of  five  candidates  at  Wakefield,  Mass.,  then  South 
Reading.  It  was  published  in  some  paper,  probably 
the  National  Baptist,  from  which,  with  the  second  and 
sixth  stanzas  omitted,  it  was  transferred  to  the  "  Bap- 
tist Praise  Book."  Subsequently  the  hymn  was 
re-written  for  the  "Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune  Book,"  in 
which  its  five  stanzas  were  arranged  as  a  baptismal 
31 


482  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

chant  (selection  33).     The  hymn  as  it  there   appears 
is  as  follows : 

O  Father,  Lord  of  earth  and  heaven! 

O  Son  Incarnate,  Christ  ourKing! 
O  Spirit,  for  our  guidance  given! 

Hear  and  accept  the  vow  we  bring. 

We  own  thee.  Savior,  crucified, 

We  own  thee,  Savior,  raised  to  heaven; 

With  thee  our  souls  to  sin  have  died, 
But  now  would  rise  as  thou  art  risen. 

Thy  gospel,  Lord,  we  would  obey. 
We  follow,  and  thy  hand  shall  guide; 

We  seek  through  Jordan's  wave  the  way 
That  leads  thy  loved  ones  to  thy  side. 

Now  in  immersion,  wondrous  sign. 

We  dedicate  ourselves  to  thee; 
Now  seal  the  covenant  divine. 

And  own  us  thine  eternally. 

We  trust  the  pledge  which  thou  hast  given, 

Of  grace  to  keep  us  still  thine  own, 
And  dying,  we  shall  rise  to  heaven, 

To  share  thy  glory  and  thy  throne. 


ADONIRAM  J.  GORDON. 

1836  . 

Abonikam  Judson  Gordon,  d.d.,  was  born  in  New 
Hampton,  N.  H.,  April  19,  1836.  Converted  in  early 
life,  he  entered  Brown  University  with  the  Christian 
ministry  in  view,  and  was  graduated  in  1860.  His 
theological  studies  he  pursued  at  Newton  Theological 
Institution,  graduating  in  1863.  Having  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Jamaica 
Plain,  Mass.,   he  was   ordained  June   29,   1863,     His 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  483 

ministry  at  Jamaica  Plain  continued  six  years,  and 
resulted  in  large  additions  to  the  church.  He  was 
then  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Clarendon  Street 
Baptist  church,  Boston,  as  the  successor  of  Rev.  Baron 
Stow,  D.D.  With  this  church  he  has  since  labored, 
preaching  the  gospel  with  great  freshness  and  spirit- 
ual power,  and  exerting  a  wide  influence  in  behalf  of 
evangelical  religion.  During  his  work  in  Boston,  Mr. 
Moody  found  in  Dr.  Gordon  one  of  his  strongest  help- 
ers, and  he  seeks  his  assistance  whenever  the  Boston 
pastor  is  within  reach. 

Dr.  Gordon  was  one  of  the  compilers  of  the  "  Ser- 
vice of  Song"  (1871).  He  is  also  the  author  of  the 
followino;  works:  "-In  Christ,  or  the  Believer's  Union 
with  his  Lord"  (1872);  '^Congregational  Worship' 
(1872);  "Grace  and  Glory"  (1880);  "Ministry  of 
Healing"  (1882);  "The  Two-Fold  Life"  (1883).  He 
is  also  editor  of  "The  Watchword,"  a  monthly  publi- 
cation first  issued  in  1877. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  New- 
ton Theological  Institution  and  also  of  the  Board  of 
Fellows  of  Brown  University.  From  the  latter  msti- 
tution,  in  1878,  he  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of 
divinity. 

In  the  social  meeting  edition  of  the  "Service  of 
Song"  (1881)  is  a  hymn  written  by  Dr.  Gordon  (music 
by  Rev.  J.  B.  Child),  of  A\hich  the  following  is  the 
first  stanza : 

Where  art  thou,  soul  ?  I  hear  God  say; 

Why  hidest  thou  from  me  ? 
Why  dost  thou  turn  thy  face  away, 

And  from  my  presence  flee  ? 
I  formed  thee  for  a  child  of  light; 
Instead  thou  choosest  sin  and  night: 

Where  art  thou,  soul,  where  art  thou  ? 

The  following  hymn  was  written  in  the  summer  of 
1886,  at  the  Northfield  School  for  Bible  Study,  organ- 
ized by  Mr.  Moody.     More  than  one  hundred  college 


484  BAPTIST  KYMl<i  WRITERS 

students  connected  ^vitll  this  school  gave  themselves 
to  the  work  of  foreign  missions  during  their  stay  at 
Northfield.  Four  of  their  number  were  chosen  to 
visit  the  colleges  in  different  parts  of  the  country, 
and  endeavor  to  awaken  a  deeper  interest  in  missions 
during  the  succeeding  academic  year.  At  their 
request  Dr.  Gordon  wrote  the  following  hymn,  to  be 
sung  at  these  college  meetings : 

Whom  Shall  I  Send? 

Isaiah  vi.  8. 

Oh  Spirit's  anointing, 
For  service  appointing, 

On  us  descend; 
For  millions  are  dying, 
And  Jesus  is  crying, 

"  Whom  shall  I  send  ?  " 

Ethiopia  reaching 

Scarred  hands  is  beseeching, 

*'  Keud,  Christians,  rend 
The  chains  long  enthralling!  " 
And  Jesus  is  calling, 

"Whom  shall  I  send?" 

Lo!  China  unsealing 
Her  gates,  and  revealing 

Fields  without  end! 
Her  night  is  receding, 
And  Jesus  is  pleading, 

"  Whom  shalll  send  ?  " 

Dark  India  is  breaking 

Her  caste  chains,  and  making 

Strong  cries  ascend 
To  Jesus,  once  bleeding. 
But  now  interceding, 

"  Whom  shall  I  send  ?  " 

See  Japan  awaking. 
Old  errors  forsaking; 

Haste,  your  aid  lend! 
"  More  light!  "  hear  her  crying, 
And  Jesus  replying, 

"  Whom  shall  I  send  ?  " 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  485 

While  Israel's  unveiling, 
And  penitent  wailing, 

All  things  iDortend, 
"Why,  why  our  delaying  ? 
Since  Jesus  is  saying 

Whom  shall  I  send?" 

The  islands,  once  hating 
His  yoke,  are  now  waiting 

Humbly  to  bend. 
"  To  bear  help  and  healing," 
Hear  Jesus  appealing, 

"Whom  shall  I  send?" 


FRANKLIN  JOHNSON. 

1836  . 

In  the  Baptist  Quarterly  Review  for  July,  1882, 
appeared  an  article  by  Rev.  Franklin  Johnson,  d.d., 
containing  translations  of  some  hymns  and  songs  of 
certain  German  Anabaptists  of  the  period  of  the 
Reformation.  One  of  these  translations  is  found  on 
pages  twenty-two  and  twenty-three  of  this  volume, 
and  a  part  of  two  others  on  page  twenty-four. 

In  1883,  Dr.  Johnson  published  a  small,  tasteful 
volume  entitled  "  Dies  Irse,  an  English  Version  in 
Double  Rhymes,  with  an  Essay  and  Notes."  As  early 
as  1865,  he  had  published  in  a  religious  journal  a 
translation  of  the  "•  Dies  Iroe ,"  and  during  the  inter- 
vening years,  at  frequent  intervals,  he  had  returned 
to  the  task  of  giving  a  more  perfect  expression  to  his 
translations  of  this  Latin  mediaeval  hymn.  The 
thoroughness  of  his  work  appeared  in  this  later  publi- 
cation, and  the  Atlantic  Monthly,  in  a  notice  of  his 
translation  of  this  magnificent  production,  says,  "  As  a 
whole  it  is  worthy  to  take  rank  with  the .  three  best 


486  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

versions   in    the    English    language,   and   in  selected 
stanzas  is  quite  incomparable." 

In  1886,  D.  Lothrop,  &  Co.,  Boston,  published  a 
translation  by  Dr.  Johnson  of  two  other  Latin  hymns, 
"The  Stabat  Mater  Speciosa,"  and  "  The  Stabat  Mater 
Dolorosa,"  with  illustrations  from  the  old  masters. 
The  same  careful  work  appeared  in  these  English 
renderings  of  these  two  well  known  hymns  of  the 
mediaeval  church.  In  both  Dr.  Johnson  has  faithfully 
reproduced  the  meaning  and  emotion  of  the  Latin 
originals.  Both  of  these  hymns,  too,  he  gives  in  a 
translation  adapted  to  the  devotional  use  of  Pro- 
testants. 

At  Christmas,  1887,  Dr.  Johnson  published  in  the 
Cambridge  Tribune  a  Christmas  hymn  from  the  Latin 
of  Prudentius,  w^ith  music  by  Mr.  Charles  L.  Capen. 
" Prudentius,"  says  Dr.  Johnson,  "was  born  in  Spain, 
in  the  year  348.  He  was  a  lawyer,  then  a  civil  and 
criminal  judge,  and  still  later  an  influential  military 
ofiicer  at  court.  His  later  years  he  devoted  to  relig- 
ious exercises  and  study.  He  wrote  numerous  works 
in  prose  and  verse,  and  Bently  has  called  him  the 
Homer  and  Virgil  of  Christians.  The  hymn  from 
which  the  following  lines  are  selected  is  very  long, 
containing  no  less  than  thirty-eight  stanzas.  It  begins 
with  the  words,  Da  puer  plectrum.  I  think  that  it  has 
never  before  been  translated  into  English,  though  its 
great  beauty  of  conception  and  its  resounding  pomp  of 
language  render  it  a  favorite  with  scholars."  The 
translation  is  as  follows: 

Hark!  the  angel  hosts  are  singing 

Him  who  came  to  break  our  chains, 
And  the  skies  with  songs  are  ringing 

O'er  the  dark  Judfean  plains, 
For  all  Heaven,  with  countless  voices, 
At  the  birth  of  Christ  rejoices. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  487 

Hail,  thou  happy  babe  and  holy, 

Lying  on  thy  mother's  breast, 
Offspring  of  the  Virgin  lowly, 

Offspring  of  the  Spirit  blest. 
Child,  and  yet  the  world's  salvation, 
Author  of  God's  new  creation. 

Long  have  prophets,  saints  and  sages, 

This  fair  day  of  grace  foretold, 
Chanting  to  the  future  ages 

What  our  favored  eyes  behold; 
ITot  a  promise  they  have  spoken 
To  the  weary  world  is  broken. 

"Wood  and  plain  and  lake  and  mountain, 

River  falling  from  the  height. 
Rain  and  snow  and  springing  fountain, 

Storm  and  calm  and  day  and  night. 
As  your  mighty  Maker  own  him. 
As  your  mighty  Lord  enthrone  him. 

Praise  him,  ye  who  are  o'er  laden 

With  the  frosts  of  many  days ; 
Praise  him,  youth,  or  man,  or  maiden; 

Praise  him,  babes  and  sucklings,  praise; 
Worship  him  and  bow  before  him. 
And  with  sweetest  songs  adore  him. 

In  various  journals  Dr.  Johnson  has  published  other 
Latin  hymns  among  them  the  "  Tristes  erant  apostoli" 
of  Gregory  the  Great,  the  "Vox  clara  ecce  intonat" 
of  Ambrose,  the  "Vexilla  Regis"  of  Fortunatus,  the 
"  Nox  atra  rerum  contegil"  of  Ambrose,  the  '*'  Salvete, 
flores  martyrum "  of  Prudentius,  and  the  "  Rerum 
creator  optime "  of  Gregory.  He  has  also  a  large 
number  of  unpublished  Latin  translations. 

Dr.  Johnson  was  born  at  Frankfort,  Ohio,  November 
2,  1836.  He  was  educated  at  Madison  University, 
graduating  from  the  Theological  Department  in  1861. 
In  the  same  year  he  was  ordained  at  Portsmouth,  now 
Bay  City,  Mich.,  and  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  that  place.  His  subsequent  pastorates  have 
been  at  Lambertville,  Passaic  City,  Newark,  N.  J.,  and 


488  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Cambridge,  Mass.,  the  latter  beginning  in  1874,  and 
closing  in  1888.  He  has  been  in  Europe  four  times, 
and  studied  at  some  of  the  German  universities,  among 
them  Leipzig,  Jena  and  Heidelberg,  studying  theology 
under  Kahnis,  and  Old  Testament  interpretation  under 
the  elder  Delitzsch. 

Beside  the  hymns  already  noticed.  Dr.  Johnson  has 
published  "  The  Gospel  According  to  Mark  with 
Notes"  (1873);  "Moses  and  Israel"  (1874);  "Heroes 
and  Judges  from  the  Lawgiver  to  the  King"  (1875); 
"  True  Womanhood.  Hints  on  the  Formation  of 
Womanly  Character"  (1882);  "A  Romance  in  Song. 
Heine's  Lyrical  Interlude"  (1884) ;  "  The  New  Psychic 
Studies  in  their  Relation  to  Christian  Thought"  (1887). 
He  has  also  published  several  sermons  and  review 
articles,  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  religious 
press,  and  in  1876,  with  Dr.  Lorimer,  he  edited  the 
Watchman. 


PHILIP  P.  BLISS. 

1838-1876. 

A  useful  life,  early  closed,  was  that  of  the  well 
known  song-evangelist,  Philip  P.  Bliss.  He  was  born 
in  Clearfield  County,  Penn.,  July  9,  1838.  His  par- 
rents  were  Methodists,  and  at  family  worship,  where 
daily  there  was  the  offering  of  praise  as  well  as  prayer, 
he  received  his  first  musical  impressions.  Such,  too, 
were  the  sacred  influences  that  surrounded  him  in  his 
home  from  his  earliest  years  that  he  could  not  remem- 
ber the  time  when  he  was  not  a  believer  in  Jesus 
Christ,  and  when  twelve  years  of  age  he  united  with 
the  Baptist  church  of  Cherry  Flats,  Tioga  County, 
Penn. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  489 

In  1864,  Mr.  Bliss  took  up  his  residence  in  Chicago, 
where,  with  George  F.  Root,  he  was  engaged  in  con- 
ducting musical  institutes,  conventions,  etc.  He  owed 
much  by  way  of  instruction  and  inspiration  to  William 
B.  Bradbury,  and  one  of  his  first  published  songs  was 
a  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Bradbury.  In  1874, 
Mr.  Bliss  accepted  an  invitation  to  engage  in  evangel- 
istic work  with  Major  Wliittle,  and  his  sacred  songs 
became  not  only  effective  gospel  utterances,  moving 
hearts,  but  they  soon  made  the  name  of  the  singer 
known  in  all  parts  of  the  land. 

Mr.  Bliss  published  his  first  musical  work,  "  The 
Charm,"  in  1871.  This  was  followed  by  the  "  Song 
Tree"  in  1872,  "Joy,"  and  "Sunshine  for  Sunday 
Schools"  in  1873,  "Gospel  Songs  for  Gospel  Meetings" 
in  1874,  and  "Gospel  Hymns  and  Sacred  Songs"  in 
1875.  In  the  preparation  of  this  last  book  he  was 
associated  with  Ira  D.  Sankey. 

He  had  now  found  his  life-work,  and  certainly  he 
was  equipped  for  the  most  successful  service.  But  the 
end  was  at  hand.  December  29,  1876,  with  his  wife, 
Mr.  Bliss  left  Rome,  Penn.,  for  Chicago.  Near  Ash- 
tabula, Ohio,  a  bridge  over  which  the  train  was 
passing  gave  way,  and  the  cars  were  precipitated 
many  feet  to  the  stream  below.  Mr.  Bliss  succeeded 
in  extricating  himself  from  the  wreck,  but  was  burned 
while  vainly  endeavoring  to  rescue  his  wife.  At  a 
memorial  meeting  held  in  Chicago  not  long  after,  the 
fact  was  recalled  that  at  the  last  meeting  which  Mr. 
Bliss  attended  in  that  city,  he  remarked,  "I  don't 
know  as  I  shall  ever  sing  here  again,  and  I  want  to 
sing  this  hymn  as  the  language  of  my  heart";  and  he 
sang  most  impressively  his  own  hymn, 

I  know  not  the  hour  when  my  Lord  shall  come. 

In  "Gospel  Hymns  Consolidated"  are  thirty-seven 


490  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

hymns  by  Mr.  Bliss.     The  first  lines  of  the  best  known 
are  as  follows : 

"  'Tis  the  promise  of  God,  full  salvation  to  give," 

"  '  Whosoever  heareth,'  shout,  shout  the  sound," 

"  Ho!  my  comrades,  see  the  signal," 

"  Free  from  the  law,  oh,  happy  condition," 

"  I  am  so  glad  that  my  Father  in  heaven," 

"  Have  you  on  the  Lord  believed," 

"  The  whole  world  was  lost  in  the  darkness  of  sin," 

"  Brightly  beams  our  Father's  mercy," 

*'  Almost  persuaded  now  to  believe," 

"  Only  an  armor-bearer,  proudly  I  stand," 

"  Light  in  the  darkness,  sailor,  day  is  at  hand," 

"  More  holiness  give  me," 

"  Repeat  the  story  o'er  and  o'er," 

"  Standing  by  a  purpose  true," 

"  In  Zion's  Rock  abiding," 

"  Tenderly  the  Shepherd," 

'*  I  will  sing  of  my  Redeemer," 

"  Sing  them  over  again  to  me." 

Of  these  hymns, 

Almost  persuaded  now  to  believe 

has  aided  many  a  soul  in  taking  a  stand  for  Christ. 
It  was  suggested  by  the  last  words  of  a  sermon, 
*'  He  who  is  almost  persuaded  is  almost  saved,  but  to 
be  almost  saved  is  to  be  entirely  lost ; "  Mr.  Bliss  was 
impressed  with  the  thought  and  composed  the  hymn. 

'  Whosoever  heareth,'  shout,  shout  the  sound, 

was  written  in  the  winter  of  1869-70,  after  hearing  a 
sermon  from  the  text,  "  God  so  loved  the  world,"   etc. 

The  whole  world  was  lost  in  the  darkness  of  sin 

was  written  in  1875.     The  words  and  the  music  came 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  491 

to  Mr.  Bliss  at  home  one  morning  while  passing 
throiig-h  the  hall  to  his  room. 

Eepeat  the  story  o'er  and  o'er 

was  suggested  by  reading  some  notes  by  Dr.  Brooks 
of  St.  Louis,  upon  the  queen  of  Sheba's  visit  to 
Solomon.     The  hymn 

I  am  so  glad  that  our  Father  in  heaven 

was  suggested  to  Mr.  Bliss  by  hearing  the  chorus, 

Oh,  how  I  love  Jesus. 

"I  have  sung  long  enough  of  my  poor  love  to  Christ," 
said  Mr.  Bhss,  "  and  now  I  will  sing  of  his  love  for 
me."  With  this  thought  in  mind  he  wrote  the  hymn. 
Mr.  Sankey  says  that  a  little  girl  who  was  dying  bore 
beautiful  testimony  to  the  power  of  these  sweet  words. 
''Don't  you  remember,"  she  said,  "One  Thursday 
when  you  were  teaching  us  to  sing 

I  am  so  glad  that  Jesus  loves  me, 

and  don't  you  remember  how  you  told  us  that  if  we 
only  gave  our  hearts  to  him,  he  would  love  us  ?  and 
I  gave  mine  to  him."  And  Mr.  Sankey  adds,  "  What 
that  little  dying  girl  said  to  me  helped  to  cheer  me  on 
more  than  anything  I  had  done  befor.e,  because  she 
was  my  first  convert." 

The  following  hymn  has  this  added  interest,  that  it 
was  Mr.  Bliss's  last  hymn  : 

^  know  not  what  awaits  me, 

God  kindly  veils  mine  eyes; 
And  o'er  each  step  of  my  onward  way 

He  makes  new  scenes  to  rise; 
And  every  joy  he  sends  me  comes 

A  sweet  and  glad  surprise. 

One  step  I  see  before  me. 

'Tis  all  I  need  to  see, 
The  light  of  heaven  more  brightly  shines, 


492  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

When  earth's  illusions  flee; 
And  sweetly  thro'  the  silence  comes 
His  loving  "  Follow  me." 

0  blissful  lack  of  wisdom, 
'Tis  blessed  not  to  know, 

He  holds  me  with  his  own  right  hand, 

And  will  not  let  me  go, 
And  lulls  my  troubled  soul  to  rest 

In  him  who  loves  me  so. 

So  on  I  go,  not  knowing, 
I  would  not  if  I  might; 

1  'd  rather  walk  in  the  dark  with  God 
Than  go  alone  in  the  light; 

I  'd  rather  walk  by  faith  with  him 
Than  go  alone  by  sight. 

In  his  later  years  Mr.  Bliss  became  a  member  of  the 
First  Conscre^jrational  church  in  Chicao^o. 


HENRY  M.  KING. 

1838  . 

Henry  Melville  King,  d.d.,  was  born  in  Oxford, 
Maine,  September  3,  1838.  When  he  was  six  years 
of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Portland,  in  the  same 
state,  where  in  the  public  schools  he  pursued  his  col- 
lege preparatory  course,  graduating  at  the  high 
school  in  1855.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year,  he 
entered  Bowdoin  College,  and  was  graduated  in  1859, 
with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class,  his  commence- 
ment part  being  a  poem.  With  the  Christian  ministry 
in  view  he  entered  Newton  Theological  Institution, 
and  was  graduated  in  1862.  October  28,  1862,  he 
was  ordained  in  Portland,  but  returned  to  Newton  as 
instructor  in  Hebrew,  and  assisted  Dr.  Hackett  during 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  493 

the  following  seminary  year.  He  then  accepted  a  call 
to  the  pastorate  of  the  Dudley  Street  Baptist  church, 
Roxbury,  Mass.,  succeeding  Rev.  Thomas  D.  Anderson, 
D.D.,  who  had  been  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  New  York  city.  Here  his 
ministry  was  crowned  with  the  divine  favor,  and 
though  he  received  frequent  calls  to  other  churches 
and  to  professorships  in  theological  institutions,  he 
remained  with  the  church  from  1863,  until  1882,  when, 
greatly  to  the  regret  of  his  people  he  accepted  a  call 
from  the  Emmanuel  Baptist  church  in  Albany,  N.  Y., 
the  church  of  which  he  is  still  pastor.  He  received  the 
honorary  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from  Colby 
University  in  1877. 

For  many  years,  while  pastor  of  the  Dudley  Street 
Ba|)tist  church.  Dr.  King  was  a  member  of  the  execu- 
tive committee  of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary 
Union,  and  also  a  trustee  of  Newton  Theological 
Institution.  After  his  removal  to  Albany  he  was 
made  a  trustee  of  Yassar  College,  and  also  of  Roches- 
ter and  Madison  Theological  Seminaries.  From  1884, 
to  1887,  he  was  president  of  the  board  of  managers  of 
the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union. 

To  our  denominational  journals  and  reviews,  Dr. 
King  has  been  a  frequent"  contributor.  Beside  numer- 
ous pamphlets,  sermons,  and  two  semi-centennial  dis- 
courses— one  for  each  of  the  churches  he  has  served 
as  pastor  —  he  has  published  "  Early  Baptists  De- 
fended" (1880),  being  a  review  of  Dr.  H.  M.  Dexter's 
"As  to  Roger  Williams,"  and  "  Mary's  Alabaster  Box  " 
(1883),  a  volume  of  sermons.  For  the  "Memorial 
History  of  Boston"  (1881)  he  contributed  an  admir- 
able sketch  of  the  history  of  the  Baptist  churches  in 
that  city. 

Dr.  King  has  also  written  quite  a  number  of  occas- 
ional hymns,  several  of  which  have  been  published 
by  Pond  &  Co.,  of  New  York.     One   of  these  is  an 


494  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

Easter  hymn,   with  music  by  John  B.   Marsh.     The 
following  is  the  first  stanza  : 

Sing  O  Heavens,  and  earth  rejoice, 

Christ  has  triumphed  o'er  the  grave: 
Join  with  gladness,  heart  and  voice, 
Christ  now  lives  with  power  to  save. 
Angels  rolled  the  stone  away; 
Angels  sat  where  Jesus  lay; 
Darkness  fled,  and  joy  was  born 
On  that  glorious  Easter  morn. 

The  following  Christmas  hymn  by  Dr.  King,  with 
music  by  Mr.  Marsh,  has  also  been  published  by  Pond 
&Co.: 

Angels  sang  the  natal  day 

Of  Christ,  the  Savior  King; 
And  o'er  the  hills  of  Palestine 
The  Christmas  sun  did  brightly  shine, 
And  glory  in  the  valley  lay. 
The  morning  of  that  sacred  day  — 
Let  us  with  angels  sing. 

Glory  be  to  God  most  High, 

And  peace,  good  will  to  men; 
For  Christ  the  Lord  was  born  today, 
And  in  his  manger-cradle  lay. 
The  angels  sang,  and  we  reply, 
And  raise  v^ur  voices  to  the  sky, 
And  sing  and  sing  again. 

Prince  of  Peace,  Almighty  Lord, 
He  laid  his  glory  by; 
A  loving  Babe  to  earth  he  came 
And  Jesus,  Savior,  was  his  name. 
He  came  to  speak  the  living  word, 
Join  earth  and  heaven  in  sweet  accord, 
And  guide  our  souls  on  high. 

Hail  we  now  the  new-born  King, 
AVhose  throne  is  in  the  sky; 
Again  he  comes,  a  welcome    guest, 
To  every  lowly  manger  breast. 
And  "  Glory  be  to  God  "  we  sing. 
While  heaven  and  earth  with  anthems  ring, 
And  we  with  angels  vie. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  495 

HARRIET  M.  CONREY. 

1838  . 


Miss  Haeriet  M.  Conrey,  a  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Conrey,  and  a  granddaughter  of  Peter  Conrey,  pre- 
centor of  the  old  Gold  Street  Baptist  church,  New 
York  city,  was  born  in  New  York,  November  5,  1838. 
She  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Thomas  Armitage,  d.d., 
pastor  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Baptist  church,  but  at 
present  she  is  a  member  of  the  Park  Avenue  Baptist 
church  in  Plainfield,  N.  J.  Formerly  she  was  a 
teacher,  but  on  account  of  ill  health  she  has  been 
obliged  to  turn  to  other  pursuits. 

In  "  Gospel  hymns  "  Miss  Conrey  is  represented  by 
one  hymn  entitled  "Jesus  Only,"  commencing 

What  though  the  clouds  are  lowering  o'er  me 
And  I  seem  to  walk  alone. 

The  following  hymn,  also  by  Miss  Conrey,  is  from 
"Welcome  Tidings": 

O  Lord,  awakened  by  thy  word, 
I  come  to  thee; 

0  let  ni}' feeble  prayer  be  heard — • 

I  come  to  thee. 

1  have  no  merit  of  my  own, 

But  by  thy  blood  thou  didst  atone ; 
Help  me  to  trust  in  thee  alone  — 
I  come  to  thee. 

Now  let  me  hear  thy  pard'ning  voice, 

O  Lord,  forgive; 
Oh,  bid  my  aching  heart  rejoice, 

O  Lord,  forgive; 
Seal  me  this  day  forever  thine, 
And  in  my  soul  let  glory  shine. 
And  tell  me  Jesus  Christ  is  mine, — 

O  Lord,  forgive. 


496  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

Help  DOW,  O  Lord,  my  unbelief, 

Now  I  believe; 
Though  of  all  sinners,  I  am  chief. 

Now  I  believe; 
Now,  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  do  ? 
My  path  of  duty  plainly  show. 
And  I  will  follow  as  I  know,  — 

Now  I  believe. 

The  remnant  of  my  days  is  thine, 

Oh,  take  me,  Lord; 
My  time  and  talents  are  not  mine, 

Oh,  take  me.  Lord; 
Help  me  to  tell  to  sinners  dear. 
That  Christ  is  precious  and  is  near, 
That  he  a  simple  prayer  will  hear,  — 

Oh,  take  me,  Lord. 


HEZEKTAH  BUTTERWORTH. 

1839  . 

Mr.  Butterworth's  childhood  home  was  in  War- 
ren, R,  I.,  wiiere  he  was  born  December  22,  1839. 
His  mother  loved  the  old  Methodist  and  Baptist 
hymns,  and  was  accustomed  to  sing  these  while 
engaged  in  her  daily  tasks.  In  this  way,  from  his 
earliest  years,  Mr.  Butterworth  was  made  familiar  with 
very  many  of  the  songs  of  Zion.  These  hymn  expe- 
riences of  his  youth  led  him  in  later  years  to  write 
"  The  Story  of  the  Hymns,"  an  exceedingly  interest- 
ing account  of  the  origin  of  hymns  of  personal  relig- 
ious experience,  published  by  the  American  Tract 
Society  in  1875,  and  for  which  Mr.  Butterworth 
received  the  George  "Wood  gold  medal.  It  was  out 
of  this  experience,  also,  that  he  wrote  the  hymn,  which 
has  found  a  place  iu  an  English  collection,  commencing 


BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS  497 

O  church  of  Christ,  our  blest  abode, 

Celestia4  grace  is  thine, 
Thou  art  the  dwelling-place  of  God, 

The  home  of  joys  divine. 
Where'er  for  me  the  sun  may  set, 

Where'er  I  roam  or  dwell, 
My  heart  shall  nevermore  forget 

Thy  courts,  Immanuel. 

This  hymn  appears  in  full  in  the  cantata  "  Under 
the  Palms."  Many  thousand  copies  of  this  cantata 
have  been  sold  in  this  country  and  in  England,  and 
several  of  its  hymns  have  been  sung  at  Mr.  Spurgeon's 
regular  Sunday-service.  It  also  has  a  place  in  "Heart 
and  Voice,"  published  by  John  Church  &  Co.,  with 
about  twenty  hymns  written  by  Mr.  Butterworth, 
many  of  them  originally  for  the  Ruggles  Street  Bap- 
tist church  or  Sunday-school,  in  Boston.  The  follow- 
ing hymn,  "Jesus,  my  AH,"  first  appeared  in  the 
Sunday  School  Times,  and  was  afterward  published  in 
the  cantata  "  Faith  Triumphant,"  written  by  Mr. 
Butterworth  for  a  music  publishing  house  in  Glasgow, 
Scotland : 

Jesus,  I  thee  believe, 

Thou  art  my  all. 
Jesus,  I  thee  receive, 
Thou,  thou  art  all  to  me, 

Thou  art  my  all. 
I  yield  my  will  to  thine ; 
Work  thou  thy  will  in  mine. 
Fill  me  with  love  divine, 

Jesus,  my  aU. 

I  have  redemption  found, 

Jesus  is  all; 
Fair  is  Immanuel's  ground, 
Jesus  is  all  to  me, 

Jesus  is  all. 
Though  naught  I  here  possess, 
Though  life  be  less  and  less, 
He  is  my  righteousness, 

Jesus,  my  all. 
32 


498  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Life  cannot  bring  me  loss, 

Wliat'er  befall, 
Ever  will  shine  the  cross, 
Jesus  is  all  to  me, 

Jesus  is  all. 
Eend,  then,  O  death,  the  veil, 
Fall,  earthly  temples,  fall, 
Hail,  halls  immortal,  hail, 

Jesus  is  all. 

Mr.  Butterworth's  hymn, 

O  children's  day  in  summer  time, 

with  music  by  Professor  "W.  F.  Sherwin,  appears  in 
"Heart  and  Voice,"  and  was  used  by  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society  in  its  Cliildren's  Day 
services  in  1885.  Other  of  Mr.  Butterworth's  hymns 
may  be  found  in  "  Poems  for  Christmas,  Easter  and 
New  Years,"  pubhshed  by  Estes  &  Lauriat,  Boston 
(1875).  In  1887,  he  published  '-Songs  of  History," 
being  poems  and  ballads  upon  important  episodes  in 
American  history. 

Mr.  Butterworth's  work  has  been  largely  for  the 
young.  He  is  author  of  "Zig-Zag  Journeys,"  the 
stories  and  legends  of  places  for  young  readers,  a 
series  of  popular  works  of  which  about  two  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  copies  have  been  sold.  Since  1871, 
he  has  been  on  the  editorial  staff  of  the  Youth's 
Companion. 


A.  JUDSON  ROWLAND. 

1840  . 

Rev.  a.  Judson  Rowland,  d.d.,  was  born  at  Val- 
ley Forge,  Penn.,  February  9,  1840.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  W.  H*.  H.  Marsh, 
at  Lawrenceville,  Penn.  In  1859,  he  entered  the 
sophomore  class  at  the  University  of  Lewisburgh,  now 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS  499 

Bucknell  University,  where  he  was  graduated  w^ith 
first  honors  in  18G2.  He  was  ordained  at  Lawrence- 
ville,  in  October  of  that  year,  having  accepted  the 
chaplaincy  of  the  175th  regiment  of  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers.  He  continued  in  the  service  until  July, 
1863,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  he  entered  Roch- 
ester Theological  Seminary,  where  he  was  graduated 
in  1866.  In  July,  1866,  he  became  pastor  of  the 
Mount  Auburn  Baptist  church,  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He 
resigned  his  pastorate  in  1868,  and  accepted  the 
presidency  of  the  Mount  Auburn  Institute.  In  1870, 
he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist 
church  in  Pittsburgh,  Penn.  Here  he  remained  two 
years,  and  then  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia.  In  1884,  he 
removed  to  Baltimore,  Md.,  having  accepted  a  c;dl  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  Franklin  Square  Baptist  church 
in  that  city.     In  this  position  he  still  remains. 

Dr.  Rowland  is  the  editor  of  "Our  Young  People" 
and  also  "  The  Senior  Quarterly,"  valued  publications 
of  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society.  He 
was  also  one  of  the  compilers  of  "  The  Devotional 
Hymn  and  Tune  Book,"  and  was  the  chief  editor  of 
"  The  Baptist  Hymnal."     He  is  the  author  of  a  hymn 

With  gratitude,  O  gracious  God, 

written  for  the  jubilee  of  the  Tenth  Baptist  church, 
Philadelphia;  also  of  a  hymn  in  "The  Devotional 
Hymn  and  Tune  Book," 

Speak  a  word  for  Jesus,  brother; 
of  another  hymn. 

There's  rest  in  the  shadow  of  Jesus, 

and  of  the  following: 

O  Spirit  stay, 

Fly  not  away, 
Though  I  have  grieved  thee  o'er  and  o'er; 

Still  let  me  hear 

Thy  voice  so  dear; 
I  will  reject  iny  love  uo  more. 


500  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

0  Savior  hear, 
Bend  down  thine  ear, 

Hide  not  thy  face,  my  God,  from  me; 

1  feel  thy  power, 
This  very  hour 

I  will  repent  and  turn  to  thee. 

I  do  decide, 
Be  thou  my  guide, 
Lord,  to  thy  cross;  my  hope  is  there; 

0  blessed  Lamb, 
Just  as  I  am, 

I  come  to  thee ;  O  grant  my  prayer. 

Softly  the  light 
Breaks  on  my  sight, 
Jesus,  thy  blood  avails  for  me; 
This  very  hour 

1  feel  thy  power, 

Kow  I  am  saved  throusrh  faith  in  thee. 


SARAH  B.  THRESHER. 

1841  . 

In  "Pure  as  Gold"  is  a  hymn  (159)  by  Mrs. 
Thresher,  commencmg 

I  cannot  bathe  in  odors  sweet. 

The  hymn  in  full,  as  written  by  Mrs.  Thresher,  con- 
tains seven  stanzas,  and  is  entitled  "Like  Mary." 
The  opening  line  is 

Oh,  that  like  Mary  I  might  pour. 

Mrs.  Thresher  has  written  several  other  hjnuns, 
which  have  been  published.  The  following  hymn  was 
written  for  the  anniversary  of  a  Woman's  Christian 
Association : 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  501 

To  thee,  O  Lord,  belongs 

The  year  now  spent  and  gone; 
Forgive  the  failures,  faults  and  wrongs 

We  vainly  wish  undone. 

If  we  with  lavish  hand 

Thy  precious  seed  have  sown, 
Beside  all  streams  on  goodly  land. 

Then  make  the  fruit  thine  own. 

Send  us  again,  we  pray, 

Into  thy  vineyard,  Lord, 
To  work  for  thee  another  day. 

To  follow  at  thy  word. 

Send  us  to  souls  in  need, 

To  rescue  those  astray ; 
To  clothe  the  poor,  the  hungry  feed, 

And  show  the  blind  thy  way. 

More  love  to  each  impart ; 

Help  us,  dear  Lord,  to  see  * 

Thine  image  in  each  lowly  heart, 

And  serving  them,  serve  thee. 

Mrs.  Thresher  was  born  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  Febru- 
ary 20,  1841.  Here  she  lived  until  her  marriage,  in 
1861,  to  J.  B.  Thresher,  Esq.,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  where 
her  home  has  since  been.  She  was  baptized  when  ten 
years  of  age  by  Rev.  L.  G.  Leonard,  and  since  her  res- 
idence in  Dayton  has  been  a  member  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist church  in  that  city. 


HENRY  F.  COLBY. 

1842  . 

Hexrt  F.  Colby,  d.d.,  a  son  of  Gardner  and  Mary 
L.  R.  Colby,  was  born  in  Roxbury,  Mass.,  November 
25,  1842.     He  received  a  thorough  preparatory  classi- 
cal training,  and  entered  Brown  University  in  1858, 


502  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

where  he  wa^  graduated  in  1862,  delivering  the  Latin 
salutatory.  He  then  commenced  the  study  o±  law, 
but  at  length  went  abroad  for  travel.  On  account  of 
a  change  of  purpose  in  life,  he  abandoned  his  legal 
studies  on  his  return,  and  entered  Newton  Theological 
Institution  in  the  autumn  of  1864.  From  this  insti- 
tution he  was  graduated  in  1867,  and  in  the  latter 
part  of  that  year  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he 
was  ordained  in  January,  1868.  Identifying  himself 
with  the  religious  and  educational  work  of  the  Bap- 
tists of  Ohio,  he  has  served  the  denomination  in  that 
state  as  president  of  the  Ohio  Baptist  Convention,  and 
as  a  trustee  of  Denison  University.  He  received  the 
honorary  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from  his  alma 
mater  in  1882. 

Dr.  Colby  is  the  author  of  a  forcible  tract  on  ''Re- 
stricted Communion,"  published  by  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society.  He  is  also  the  author  of 
a  memoir  of  his  father  (1879),  and  of  Ebenezer 
Thresher,  ll.d.  (1886).  Occasionally  he  has  used  his 
pen  in  poetical  composition.  He  was  the  poet  of  his 
class  at  Brown  University.  In  "  Gospel  Hymns  Con- 
solidated" he  has  a  hymn  (299)  commencing 

My  sin  is  great,  my  strength  is  weak. 

The  following  hymn,  written  by  Dr.  Colby,  was 
sung  at  the  graduation  of  his  class  at  Newton  Theo- 
logical Institution,  June  26,  1867: 

Waiting  on  the  eve  of  labor, 

Knowing  not  the  coming  dajf, 
Bowing  at  thy  throne,  O  Savior, 

For  a  blessing,  now,  we  pray. 
Thou  hast  called  us  by  thy  Spirit; 

Thou  hast  brought  us  to  this  hour; 
Vain  will  be  our  best  endeavors, 

If  we  lack  that  Spirit's  power. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  503 

Grant  us  then  thy  benediction, 

Make  us  wise  in  word  and  deed, 
Gire  us  faith  and  love  and  patience, 

Give  us  all  the  grace  we  need. 
May  we  sow  beside  all  waters, 

Trusting  thee  the  seed  to  keep; 
May  we,  entering  on  the  harvest. 

Thrust  the  sickle  in  and  reap. 

Stand  beside  us,  gracious  Savior; 

All  thy  promised  aid  impart; 
Place  thine  arm  of  strength  around  us; 

Let  us  feel  thy  beating  heart. 
Then,  when  days  of  toil  are  over,' 

\Yhen  our  latest  sheaves  are  bound. 
We  will  cast  them  all  before  thee. 

Joying  most  to  see  thee  crowned. 


GEORGE  C.  NEEDHAM. 


Mr.  Needham  has  become  very  widely  known 
through  his  evangelistic  labors.  He  was  born  about 
the  year  1844,  on  the  shore  of  Kenmare  Bay,  not  far 
from  the  famous  Lakes  of  Killarney,  in  the  south  of 
Ireland.  His  parents  were  Irish  Protestants,  and  he 
received  a  relig:ious  trainino;.  His  mother  died  when 
he  was  ten  years  of  age,  and  her  dying  prayers  were 
for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  her  children,  who  were 
gathered  around  her  bedside.  That  solemn  scene 
made  an  abiding  impression  on  George.  In  his  eigh- 
teenth year  the  great  revival  wave  swept  over  Ireland, 
and  the  motherless  boy  was  one  of  those  who  were 
reached  by  it.  A  year  later  he  became  connected 
with  a  business  house  in  Dublin,  and  soon  won  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  his  employers.     At  the  end 


504  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

of  the  year,  however,  against  the  protest  of  his 
employers,  who  made  him  flattering  oifers,  and  also 
against  the  advice  of  some  of  his  friends,  he  relin- 
quished his  position,  and  gave  himself  to  the  work  of 
an  evangelist.  His  labors  were  so  successful  that  he 
was  at  length  invited  to  visit  England,  where  his 
work  in  the  vicinity  of  Mr.  Spurgeon's  birth-place 
brought  him  into  intimate  relations  with  tlie  great 
London  preacher.  It  is  said  that  at  that  time  he 
prepared  to  enter  Mr.  Spurgeon's  college,  then  in  its 
infancy;  but  Mr.  Spurgeon,  on  account  of  Mr.  Need- 
ham's  usefulness  in  his  calling,  advised  him  to  continue 
in  it.  In  1866,  Mr.  Needham,  with  Mr.  H.  Grattan 
Guinness,  made  an  evangelistic  tour  of  Ireland  with 
marked  results.  In  1867,  with  the  late  Henry  Moor- 
house,  he  decided  to  visit  the  United  States.  He  was 
detained,  however,  hy  the  sickness  of  a  sister,  but  for 
a  short  time  only.  Three  months  later,  with  her,  he 
followed  his  friend.  Mr.  Needham  landed  in  Boston, 
and  on  the  next  day  he  made  a  brief  address  at  the 
noon  meeting  of  the  Boston  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Invitations 
to  preach  soon  poured  in  upon  him,  and  with  his  well- 
thumbed  Bagster  Bible  he  began  to  give  "  Bible 
Readings."  Later  he  joined  Mr.  Moody  in  Chicago. 
In  the  years  that  have  followed  he  has  been  aljundant 
in  labors.  He  preaches  almost  every  night  during  a 
large  part  of  the  year,  gives  Bible  readings  nearly 
every  afternoon,  sometimes  conducts  a  morning 
prayer-meeting,  and  frequently  preaches  three  and 
four  times  on  Sunday.  Everywhere  the  people  hear 
him  gladly,  and  his  preaching  is  in  demonstration  of 
the  Spirit  and  of  power. 

Mr.  Needham  is  a  frequent  contributor  to  the 
religious  press.  He  is  also  the  author  of  the  follow- 
ing works:  "The  True  Tabernacle"  (1875),  "Recol- 
lections of  Henry  Moorhouse "  (1880),  "Life  and 
Labors  of  C.  H.  Spurgeon"  (1883),  "Street  Arabs" 
(1885),   "Salvation  Stories"    (1886).      He    has  also 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  505 

written  about  a  dozen  hymns.  In  "  Gospel  Hymns 
Consolidated"  there  are  three  hymns  by  Mr.  Needham. 

"  From  the  riven  Rock  there  floweth," 
"  When  the  Lord  from  heaven  appears,*' 
"  I  hear  the  words  of  Jesus." 

The  following  hymn,  by  Mr.  Needham,  first  appeared 
anonymously  in  Dr.  A.  J.  Gordon's  "Vestry  Hymn  and 
Tune  Book"  (1872),  and  has  been  transferred  to  other 
collections: 

I  stand,  but  not  where  once  I  stood 

Beneath  a  load  of  guilt; 
My  Savior,  Jesus,  bore  it  all, 

For  me  his  blood  was  spilt; 

0  bless  the  Lordl  exalt  his  name; 
He  gave  himself  for  me ; 

He  died  upon  the  shameful  cross 
To  set  the  captive  free. 

1  stand,  but  not  on  Calvary's  mount. 

Before  the  blood- stained  cross; 
Though  still  on  it  my  faith  doth  rest, 
And  count  all  else  but  dross; 

0  bless  the  Lord!  I  do  believe 
That  Jesus  died  for  sin. 

And  on  that  cross  he  shed  his  blood 
To  make  the  guilty  clean. 

1  stand,  but  not  beside  the  grave 
Where  once  my  Lord  did  lie; 

The  cross  and  grave  he  left  behind, 
And  took  his  seat  on  high; 

0  bless  the  Loi-d!  the  work  is  done. 
With  God  I'm  reconciled; 

And  risen  with  the  risen  Christ; 
He  owns  me  as  his  child. 

1  stand  e'en  now  within  the  vail, 
In  union  with  my  Lord, 

Beyond  the  power  of  death  and  hell; 

I  know  it  from  his  word; 
O  bless  the  Lord!  assured  thereby, 

In  him  we  are  complete; 
We  walk  by  faith,  but  soon,  in  sight, 

Our  gracious  King  we  '11  greet. 


506  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

ELIZABETH  A.  NEEDHAM. 


Mrs.  Elizabeth  Axnable  Needham,  wife  of  Geo. 
C.  Needham,  the  evangelist,  was  born  of  Puritan 
stock,  in  Manchester,  Mass.  As  a  child,  she  was  relig^ 
iously  thoughtful,  and  leaving  her  young  companions, 
she  loved  to  study  her  Bible  amid  the  wild  solitudes 
of  her  grandfather's  estate.  Her  life  thus  very  natr- 
urally  took  on  that  coloring  of  quiet  seriousness  and 
earnest  gravity  which  since  have  been  characteristic 
of  her.  She  did  not,  however,  neglect  the  different 
branches  of  secular  study.  She  had  careful  instruc-- 
tors,  who  delighted  to  guide  her  thoughtful  mind. 
But  as  a  girl,  with  steadfast  purpose  she  devoted  her 
best  powers  to  the  interpretation  and  presentation  of 
Bible  truth.  Her  studies  in  this  direction  have  borne 
rich  fruit.  Since  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Needham, 
she  has  often  accompanied  him  in  his  evangelistic 
tours,  and  her  Bible  readings,  marked  by  womanly 
grace  and  refinement,  have  also  been  marked  by  the 
richer  graces  of  the  Spirit.  She  is  a  woman  of  strong 
faith.  The  Christian  Herald,  referring  to  her,  says: 
"  When  her  husband  explained  to  her  before  marriage 
the  plan  of  his  life,  never  to  contract  a  debt,  and  that 
he  had  gone  without  food  in  his  evangelistic  work 
rather  than  borrow  a  dollar,  she  heartily  commended 
the  plan,  and  rejoiced  in  his  purpose.  When,  soon 
after,  he  suggested  a  delay  in  their  marriage,  owing  to 
his  lack  of  funds  for  the  honeymoon  trip,  she  quietly 
remarked  that  God  was  sufficient  for  each  day,  and  he 
would  make  all  grace  abound  in  the  exact  time  of 
need.  On  one  occasion,  arriving  penniless  in  a  west- 
ern city,  she  would  not  consent  to  enter  a  hotel  till 
funds  of  friends  should  at  length  come  to  their  relief. 
To  order  food  and  shelter  without  present  means  of 
payment,   she   said,  would   involve   a  veritable  debt. 


AND  THEIR  HYMN'S.  507 

Taking  her  husband's  arm,  they  walked  the  street 
praying  and  expecting  that  somehow  the  Lord  would 
provide.  And  he  did  provide,  as  within  a  half-hour 
they  were  comfortably  seated  in  the  dining-room  of  a 
hotel,  having  been  invited  there  by  a  gentleman  who 
heard  Mr.  Needham  preach  in  a  distant  town  three 
months  previously,  and  who  recognized  him  on  the 
street.  This  man  had  no  knowledge  of  their  circum- 
stances ;  he  supposed  they  were  out  for  a  walk,  and 
urged  them  to  accept  his  hospitality,  and  spend  the 
night  with  him  at  the  hotel,  as  he  would  leave  the 
city  early  the  next  day.  Nor  did  he  ever  learn  from 
their  lips  how  he  became  the  instrument  of  that  won- 
derful answer  to  jDrayer.  But,  best  of  all,  their  ac- 
ceptance of  his  proffered  hospitality  led  to  his  imme- 
diate conversion.  He  was  truly  an  anxious  soul  cry- 
ing out  for  peace.  Had  they  acted  otherwise,  they 
would  have  lost  the  rich  experience  of  God's  care  for 
them,  and  the  opportunity  of  leading  that  soul  to 
Christ." 

Mrs.  Needham  has  done  not  a  little  in  the  way  of 
authorship.  Her  published  w^orks  are  "Woman's  Min- 
istry" (1880),  "The  Anti-Christ"  (1881),  and  "Smooth 
Stones  from  Scripture  Streams"  (1886).  She  is  the 
author,  also,  of  about  fifty  hymns,  among  them, 

"  Jerusalem,  dear  land  distressed," 

"  Son  of  God,  for  thee  we  wait," 

"  I  am  the  Lord's,  and  bear  his  name," 

'*  Blest  morn,  that  ends  the  saint's  long  night." 

In  "Gospel  Hymns"  Mrs.  Needham  has  a  hymn 
commencing 

"When  the  King  in  his  beauty  shall  come  to  his  throne. 

The  following  hymn,  written  by  Mrs.  Needham,  is 
from  a  collection  of  hymns  compiled  by  Rev.  H.  L. 
Hastings,  entitled  "Songs  of  Pilgrimage"  (1886): 

*'  All  night  in  prayer  "  — while  others  slept, 
Or,  heedless,  their  wild  revels  kept, 


508  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

In  lonely  spots,  oppressed  with  care, 
The  Savior  spent  his  nights  in  prayer. 

"  All  night  in  prayer  "  —  't  is  joy  to  know 
I  have  such  comfort  in  my  woe; 
And  whilst  I  watch,  his  pity  share. 
Who  often  spent  like  hours  in  prayer. 

"  All  night  in  prayer  "  —  I  love  to  think 
His  hand  doth  mix  each  cup  I  drink ; 
And  for  my  blessing  doth  prepare 
Each  night  of  weariness  and  jirayer. 

*'  All  night  in  prayer  "  — O  Savior,  Christ, 
My  sins  deprived  thy  life  of  rest ; 
And  love  for  me  didst  make  thee  bear 
The  sorrows  of  those  nights  of  prayer. 

"  All  night  in  pra5^er  "  — ah!  morn  shall  come, 
A  morn  whose  light  shall  guide  lue  home; 
Its  dawn  will  scatter  gloom  and  care, 
And  joy  shall  crown  our  nights  oi  prayer. 


GEORGIANA  L.  HEATH. 

1844-1886. 

Georgiana  L.  Heath  was  the  youngest  daughter 
of  Rev.  Wilham  Heath,  and  was  born  in  South  Read- 
ing, now  Wakefield,  Mass.,  September  5,  1844.  In 
1861,  she  studied  at  the  Ipswich  Female  Seminary, 
and  a  few  years  later  she  was  graduated  at  the  Oak- 
land Institute  at  Needham,  Mass.  From  her  early 
years  Miss  Heath  was  accustomed  to  give  expression 
to  her  thoughts  in  verse;  and  at  her  death,  which 
occurred  at  Wakefield,  January  19,  1886,  she  left  a 
large  collection  of  poems,  including  some  hymns,  a 
portion  of  which  have  since  been  arranged  by  her 
sister,  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Morton,  of  Wakefield,  and  pub- 


AXD  THEIR  HYMNS.  509 

lislied  in  a  volume  entitled  "Assurance  and  other 
Poems,"  by  D.  Lothrop  &  Co.,  Boston  (1886).  In  a 
prefatory  note,  Dr.  S.  F.  Smith,  d.d.,  says:  "The 
poetry  contained  in  this  volume  is  the  offspring  of  a 
mind  of  unusual  vigor,  and  which  had  passed  through 
unusual  experiences.  The  writer  felt  her  own  way, 
independently  of  human  leading,  into  the  Christian 
path,  demanding  a  solid  foundation  for  every  step. 
Finding  evidence  of  her  regeneration  only  after  she 
had  attained  adult  age,  her  religion  became  the 
spring  both  of  her  thought  and  life.  It  was  her  habit 
of  mind  to  question  herself  rigidly,  and  to  be  unsatis- 
fied with  anything  short  of  perfection  in  her  expe- 
riences and  in  her  work.  This  accounts  for  that 
peculiar  characteristic  of  her  poetry  —  a  perpetual 
reaching  forward  to  the  yet  unattained,  a  yearning  for 
the  higher,  a  longing  for  the  glory  yet  to  be 
revealed." 

One  of  Miss  Heath's  hymns,  commencing 

Ye  soldiers  of  Jehovah, 

was  sung  at  the  meetings  of  the  American  Baptist 
Missionary  Union  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  in  1884.  Another 
hymn, 

Mighty  Lord,  all  lords  excelling, 

was  inspired  by  the  jubilee  of  the  American  Baptist 
Home  Mission  Society  in  New  York  in  1882.  Eight 
hymns  by  Miss  Heath  are  included  in  "Songs  of 
Delight,"  pubUshed  by  A.  S.  Barnes  &  Co.,  New  York 
(1875).  The  following  "Thanksgiving  Hymn"  is 
from  "Assurance  and  other  Poems"  : 

For  the  promise  of  the  springtime, 

Leafy  bud  and  tinted  flower, 
Prophecy  of  teeming  harvests, 

We  would  offer  praise  this  hour, 
Heavenly  Father, 

Thine  the  gracious  love  and  power. 


510  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

For  the  beauty  of  the  summer, 

Forest  grand  and  waving  grain, 
Glad  fulfilment  of  thy  promise, 

We  would  raiso  the  grateful  strain, 

Till  earth's  voices, 
^end  the  echo  back  again. 

For  the  harvest  fields  of  autumn. 
For  the  treasures  of  the  hills,  — 
Hark!  the  universal  anthem 

Which  the  whole  creation  thrills; 
God  of  nature. 
Heaven  and  earth  thy  glory  fills. 

For  the  resting  time  of  winter. 

When  beneath  earth's  robe  of  white 
Slumbering  lie  the  coming  harvests 
Till  the  spring  awakes  in  light; 
Praise  and  glory, 
Thou  eternal  God  of  Might. 

God  of  all  the  changing  seasons, 
Ruler  of  each  rolling  sphere. 

For  thy  benefits  uncounted. 
That  have  crowned  the  passing  year, 

For  thy  goodness 
Grateful  praise  we  offer  here. 


SELINA  P.  PEARCE. 

1845  . 

In  "Gospel  Hymns"  is  the  following  hymn  (286), 
with  music  by  George  C.  Stebbins : 

Be  our  joyful  song  today, 

Jesus,  only  Jesus; 
He  who  takes  our  sins  away, 

Jesus,  only  Jesus; 
Name  with  every  blessing  rife, 
Be  our  hope  and  joy  through  life. 
Be  our  strength  in  every  strife, 

Jesus,  only  Jesus. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  511 

Once  we  wandered  far  from  God, 

Knowing  not  of  Jesus; 
Treading  still  the  downward  road, 

Leading  far  from  Jesus ; 
Till  the  Spirit  taught  us  how, 
'N'eath  the  Savior's  yoke  to  bow. 
And  we  fain  would  follow  now, 

Jesus,  only  Jesus. 

Be  our  trust  through  years  to  come, 

Jesus,  only  Jesus; 
Password  to  the  heavenly  home, 

Jesus,  only  Jesus; 
"When  from  sin  and  sorrow  free. 
On  through  all  eternity, 
This  our  theme  and  song  shall  be, 

Jesus,  only  Jesus. 

This  hymn  in  "Gospel  Hymns"  is  ascribed  to  L. 
Pierce.  It  was  written  by  Miss  Selina  P.  Pearce,  who 
was  born  in  Lowell,  Ohio,  December  29,  1845.  Her 
education  she  received  in  the  public  schools  at  Mari- 
etta, and  subsequently  in  the  Young  Ladies'  Institute 
at  Granville,  where  she  was  graduated  in  1864.  She 
has  since  been  engaged  in  teaching.  Eleven  years 
were  spent  beyond  the  limits  of  her  native  state, 
seven  of  these  (1872-9)  as  an  instructor  in  Almira 
College,  Greenville,  111.  Since  1881,  she  has  been 
principal  of  the  high  school  in  Marietta,  Ohio,  where 
her  father,  a  Baptist  minister,  who  came  to  this  coun- 
try from  England  in  1842,  has  resided  since  1847. 

Miss  Pearce' s  hymn,  given  above,  was  written  at 
the  request  of  her  pastor,  Rev.  I.  N.  Carmen.  The 
word  "takes"  in  the  third  line  of  the  first  stanza,  is 
printed  "took"  in  "Gospel  Hymns."  Originally  the 
hymn  had  a  chorus,  which  Mr.  Stebbins  did  not  retain. 
Another  hymn  by  Miss  Pearce,  commencing 

Hark!  'tis  the  voice  of  gladness 
Eings  o'er  the  rolling  sea, 

was  written  for  a  public  missionary  meeting  in  Green- 
ville, 111.  Miss  Pearce  is  also  the  author  of  some 
occasional  hymns. 


512  BAPTIST  HYMif  WRITERS 

C.  C.  LUTHER. 

1847  . 


Among  Bcaptists  there  have  been,  and  there  are 
still,  a  large  number  of  successful  evangelists.  Mr. 
Luther  has  devoted  himself  to  this  department  of 
Christian  service.  He  was  born  May  17,  1847,  in 
Worcester,  Mass.,  where  his  parents  are  members  of 
the  First  Baptist  church.  After  completing  his  col- 
lege preparatory  course,  he  was  employed  for  two 
years  as  a  journalist.  He  then  entered  Brown  Uni- 
versity, where  he  was  graduated  in  1871.  During 
his  senior  year  he  was  converted,  and  united  wdth  the 
church  to  which  his  parents  belong.  On  leaving  col- 
lege it  was  his  purpose  to  make  journalism  his  life- 
work,  and  until  1876,  he  was  connected  with  papers 
in  Springfield,  Mass.  He  was  then  gradually  led  to 
see  that  the  Lord  had  other  purposes  concerning  him. 
For  nearly  a  year  he  accompanied  Rev.  S.  H.  Pratt  in 
his  evangelistic  work,  singing  the  gospel  which  Mr. 
Pratt  preached.  Then  he,  too,  began  to  preach,  and 
from  that  time  he  has  been  earnestly  engaged  as  an 
evangelist.  For  several  years  he  labored  as  a  lay 
evangelist,  but  June  25,  1880,  he  was  ordained  by  the 
church  at  Worcester,  of  which  he  is  a  member.  His 
work,  which  has  been  limited  almost  wholly  to  Bap- 
tist churches  in  eastern  Massachusetts  and  Rhode 
Island,  though  he  has  visited  places  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, Connecticut,  New  York,  New  Jersey  and  Penn- 
sylvania, has  been  greatly  blessed,  and  large  acces- 
sions have  been  made  to  the  churches  which  he  has 
served. 

The  use  of  sacred  song  in  gospel  meetings  Mr. 
Luther  well  understands,  and  he  has  written  about 
twenty-five  hymns,  to  which  he  has  added  music  of 
his  own  composition.     One  of  these. 

Must  I  go,  and  empty-handed, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  513 

is  found  in  "Gospel  Hymns  Consolidated"  (298). 
The  story  of  its  origin  is  as  follows :  During  a  series 
of  evangelistic  meetings,  Rev.  A.  G.  Upham,  now  of 
Montreal,  was  preaching  for  Mr.  Luther,  and  early  in 
the  sermon  referred  to  a  young  man,  who,  dying  after 
only  a  month  of  Christian  service,  said  to  a  friend, 
"No,  I  am  not  afraid.  Jesus  saves  me  now;  but  oh, 
must  I  go,  and  empty-handed  f"  The  incident  made 
a  strong  impression,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  words 
of  this  hymn  arranged  themselves  in  Mr.  Luther's 
mind.  A  few  days  later  he  handed  them  to  George 
C.  Stebbins,  who  composed  for  them  the  beautiful 
music  which  accompanies  them  in  "Gospel  Hymns." 
Music  of  his  own  composition  Mr.  Luther  added  to 
these  words  subsequently.  The  hymn,  as  written  by 
Mr.  Luther,  is  as  follows : 

"  Must  I  go,  and  empty-handed  ?  " 

Thus  my  dear  Redeemer  meet? 
Not  one  day  of  service  give  him, 

Lay  no  trophy  at  his  feet  ? 

"  Must  I  go,  and  empty-handed  ?  " 
Xot  one  lost  one  homeward  guide  ? 

Ne'er  proclaim  the  love  of  Jesus, 
How  for  sinners  lost  he  died? 

Not  at  death  I  shrink  nor  tremble, 

For  my  Savior  saves  me  now ; 
But  to  meet  him  empty-handed, 

Thought  of  that  now  clouds  my  brow. 

Oh,  the  years  of  sinning  wasted! 

Could  I  but  recall  them  now, 
I  would  give  them  to  my  Savior, 

In  his  service  gladly  go. 

O,  ye  saints,  arouse,  be  eai'nest, 

Up  and  work  while  yet  'tis  day; 
Ere  the  night  of  death  o'ertakes  thee, 

Strive  for  souls  while  still  you  may. 
33 


514  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

In  1887,  Mr.  Luther  brought  together  some  of  the 
hymns  he  has  written,  and  pubhshed  them,  with  added 
hymns  mostly  by  Rev.  F.  M.  Lamb,  in  a  pamphlet 
entitled  "Beautiful  Beckoning  Hands."  The  title  is 
derived  from  the  first  hymn  in  the  collection,  which 
has  had  a  large  sale  in  sheet-music  form.  Among 
other  of  Mr.  Luther's  hymns  in  this  collection,  which 
have  been  used  by  him  in  his  work,  are 

"  Oh,  we  shall  meet  beyond  the  tide," 

"  Oh,  where  are  the  dear  ones  we  never  forget," 

"  Nearer  home,  O  blessed  thought," 

"  Going  away  unsaved  tonight," 

•'  So  near  to  the  kingdom,  and  yet  thou  dost  lack," 

"  Knocking,  knocking  at  the  door  of  thy  heart," 

"  Draw  near,  O  God,  to  me." 


WILLIAM  A.  SMITH. 

1847  . 

Rev.  William  A.  Smith  was  born  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  December  29,  1847.  He  received  his  collegiate 
education  at  Brown  University,  Providence,  R.  I., 
where  he  was  graduated  in  1870.  With  the  profession 
of  law  in  view  he  studied  at  the  Law  School  in  Albany, 
N.  Y.,  graduating  in  1872.  He  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  the  courts  of  the  State  of  New  York,  but 
in  1877,  he  decided  to  enter  the  Christian  ministry, 
and  commenced  the  study  of  theology.  In  October, 
1878,  he  received  ordination  as  a  Baptist  minister,  and 
the  same  year  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Hamilton,  Ohio.  In  1879,  he 
became  pastor  of  the  Third  Baptist  church  in  Cleve- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  515 

land,  Ohio.  In  1881,  he  was  called  to  the  pulpit  of 
the  Perkins  Street  Baptist  church  in  East  Somerville, 
Mass.,  the  parish  lying  partly  in  Boston  and  partly  in 
Somerville. 

Mr.  Smith  has  written  and  published  the  following 
books:  "The  Student's  Hand-book  of  Commercial 
Law,"  "Who  is  Responsible?"  and  "The  Spinning 
Wheel  of  Tam worth."  He  is  also  the  author  of  many 
hymns,  published  for  special  occasions,  in  addition  to 
those  which  have  found  their  way  into  collections ; 
among  them  the  following,  entitled  "  The  Sweeter 
Thought"; 

'Tis  sweet  when  moi-ning  wakens, 

And  leaves  the  couch  of  night, 
To  cast  athwart  the  darkness, 

Her  golden  radiance  bright; 
'Tis  sweet  to  look  to  heaven, 

And  breathe  upon  the  air. 
With  grateful  hearts  o'erflowing, 

The  voice  of  thankful  prayer. 

'T  is  sweet  when  twilight  shadows 

Are  gathering  thickly  round, 
"When  evening  bells  are  ringing 

In  low,  melodious  sound; 
'T  is  sweet  to  leave  the  labor 

And  cares  of  anxious  days. 
To  worship  in  his  presence. 

And  raise  the  song  of  praise. 

'Tis  sweet  in  youth's  bright  morning, 

When  hope  inspires  the  breast. 
And  every  zeal  and  effort 

Are  into  service  pressed; 
'T  is  sweet  to  trust  our  Father, 

And  on  his  help  rely, 
To  feel  that  on  us  ever 

Is  fixed  his  watchful  eye. 

But  sweeter  far  it  will  be , 

If  in  the  hour  of  death 
I  can  but  sing  his  praises 

With  life's  last  lingering  breath; 


516  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Yes,  sweeter  far  tlian  ever, 

I  feel  —  I  know  't  will  be , 
If  I  can  hear  him  whisper 

The  message,  "  Come  to  me." 

The  following  hymns  by  Mr.  Smith  are  in  "  Spark- 
ling Diamonds": 

"  "Whene'er  my  heart  with  sadness  fills," 

"  There  's  a  land  bej^ond  the  river," 

"  I  know  I  am  wicked  and  sinful." 


ALBERT  A.  BENNETT. 

1849  . 

In  1886,  there  was  published  anonymously  "A  Col- 
lection of  Hymns,"  arranged  with  especial  reference 
to  the  wants  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Yokohama, 
Japan.  The  compilation  was  the  work  of  Rev.  Albert 
Arnold  Bennett,  one  of  the  missionaries  of  the  Amer- 
ican Baptist  Missionary  Union  stationed  at  Yokohama.' 
Of  the  two  hundred  and  thirty  hymns  in  this  collec- 
tion twelve  were  written  by  Mr.  Bennett.  The  fol- 
lowing? is  number  220: 

Oh,  for  a  stainless  record! 

Oh,  for  a  spotless  name! 
Oh,  for  that  praise  of  heaven, 

Without  which  fame  is  shame. 

Oh,  to  be  good  and  noble; 

To  help  to  make  men  good! 
Oh,  to  deserve  that  plaudit 

Where  "  hath  done  "  equals  "  could  "t 

Oh,  for  the  course  well  ended! 

Oh,  for  the  race  well  run! 
Oh,  for  the  crown  God  giveth 

To  all  who  crown  his  Son! 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  517 

For  this  I  pant  and  labor, 

And  powerless  cry  to  thee ; 
Great  Help,  thou  God  Almighty, 

Say  thou,  "The  thing  shall  be." 

Mr.  Bennett  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  April 
16,  1849.  His  father,  Edward  A.  Bennett,  was  a  dea- 
con of  the  Fifth  Baptist  church  in  that  city.  With 
this  church  Mr.  Bennett  united  at  an  early  age,  dur- 
ing the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  B.  Simmons,  d.d.,  by 
whom  he  was  baptized.  From  the  time  of  his  conver- 
sion he  was  active  in  church  and  Sunday-school  work, 
and  early  consecrated  himself  to  service  in  the  foreign 
mission  field,  with  a  special  interest  in  Japan.  Hav- 
ing graduated  with  honor  at  Brown  University  in 
1872,  he  entered  the  Baptist  Theological  Seminary  in 
Chicago,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1875.  From 
1875,  to  1879,  he  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Holliston,  Mass.  He  resigned  his  pastorate  in  order 
to  engage  in  mission  work,  and  having  been  appointed 
a  missionary  to  Japan,  he  sailed  with  his  wife  (a 
daughter  of  Rev.  B.  W.  Barrows)  from  San  Francisco, 
in  November,  1879,  and  on  his  arrival  in  Japan  en- 
tered upon  the  work  to  which  he  had  so  long  looked 
forward  with  deep  interest  and  many  prayers.  The 
"Japanese  Hymn  Book,"  commenced  by  Dr.  N. 
Brown,  was  completed  by  Mr.  Bennett. 


JOHN  B.  MULFORD. 

1851  . 


Rev.  John  Brantly  Mulford  was  born  in  Phila- 
delphia, Penn.,  September  2,  1851.  His  grandfather. 
Rev.  Joseph  H.  Kennard,  d.d.,  was  the  founder,  and 
for  nearly  thirty  years  the  pastor,  of  the  Tenth  Bap- 
tist church;  and  he  was  baptized  by  his  grandfather 


518  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

when  twelve  years  of  age.  He  took  his  theological 
coarse  at  Crozer  Theological  Seminary,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  class  of  1876.  His  first  settlement 
was  in  Sewickley,  Penn.,  where  he  became  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church,  August  1,  1876.  January  1,  1878, 
he  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Somerville, 
N.  J.,  where  he  remained  until  July,  1881.  His  next 
pastorate  was  at  Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  whither  he 
was  sent  by  the  Home  Mission  Board  in  New  York  to 
aid  in  saving  an  old  church  from  extinction  and  to 
protect  the  society  from  a  loss  of  money  loaned. 
Having  accomplished  this,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Atchison,  Kansas,  and  entered 
upon  his  labors  in  December,  1883.  There  he  still 
remains.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  Ottawa  University,  also  of  the  State  Home  Mission 
Board,  and  is  one  of  its  executive  committee. 

Mr.  Mulford  is  the  author  of  several  hymns  written 
for  the  most  part  at  the  request  of  Rev.  Robert 
Lowry,  d.d.  One  of  these  was  written  in  Wheeling, 
West  Virginia,  November  4,  1881,  as  the  conclusion 
of  a  sermon  on  the  text,  "  And  everything  shall  live 
whither  the  river  cometh."     It  begins 

O  blessed  crystal  river, 
Sweet  stream  of  life  divine, 

and  appeared  in  "Our  Glad  Hosanna,"  though  in  an 
abbreviated  form.  Another  of  Mr.  Mulford's  hymns 
is  in  "  Harvest  Bells,  No.  1,"  commencing. 

Sinner,  why  so  idly  standing. 

The  following  hymn  by  Mr.  Mulford,  is  in  "  Joyful 
Lays": 

O  glorious  God!  eternal  and  wise, 

Thou  Maker  of  worlds,  and  Lord  of  the  skies; 

To  thee  would  we  lift  glad  carols  of  praise , 

For  all  thy  rich  gifts  and  wonderful  ways. 

When  earth  without  form  lay  mantled  in  night, 

Thy  lips  spake  the  word,  and  lol  there  was  light; 

When  man  in  his  strength  c^me  forth  from  thy  hand, 

He  found  his  first  dwelling  a  Paradise  land. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  ^19 

O  bountiful  God!  attentive  and  kind, 
Thou  fulness  of  light  to  souls  that  are  blind, 
To  thee  would  we  yield  the  tribute  of  love, 
Tor  blessings  on  earth  and  mansions  above. 
The  mercies  of  life  are  held  in  thy  hand. 
The  angels  of  help  around  thee  now  stand; 
For  eve'ry  earth-want  and  every  soul-need. 
As  beams  of  the  morning  with  succor  they  speed. 

O  all-loving  God!  benignant,  and  pure, 
Thou  Savior  of  souls,  whose  promise  is  sure, 
To  thee  would  we  give  the  love  of  our  hearts, 
And  take  of  thy  grace  with  all  it  imparts ; 
The  cross  of  thy  Son,  all  crimson  with  blood, 
Assures  us  of  life  beyond  the  dark  flood; 
For  Jesus  has  died  our  ransom  to  pay, 
To  lead  us  in  triumph  to  glory's  bright  day. 


WILLIAM  H.  GEISTWEIT. 

1857  . 

Key.  William  H.  Geistweit  was  ^«/"  ^^ /^^^f" 
town,  Lebanon  County,  Penn.,  October  24  18o7.  His 
parents  several  years  afterward  removed  to  Allen- 
town,  where,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  he  entered  a 
newspaper  office  to  learn  the  printing  business.  This 
was  his  school,  and  m  this  work  he  was  engaged  ten 
years,  five  of  which  were  spent  m  Philadelphia,  as 
manao-er  of  the  mechanical  work  on  the  bunday 
School  Times.  From  his  earliest  years  he  was  inter- 
ested in  music,  both  vocal  and  instrumental  When 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  began  to  preack  Two 
years  he  spent  in  the  service  of  the  Y  M.  C.  A  as 
general  secretary  of  the  Camden  Association.  Subse- 
quently he  was  associated  with  Rev.  C.  H.  Yalman  m 
evangelistic    work.      Together    they    also    conducted 


520  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

the  Young  People's  Meeting  at  Ocean  Grove  several 
years.  In  December,  188-5,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  Linden  Baptist  church,  Camden,  N. 
J.,  where  he  was  ordained  January  25,  1886,  and 
where  he  still  remains. 

Mr.  Geistweit,  while  giving  considerable  attention 
to  musical  composition,  has  written  a  few  hymns, 
mostly  for  his  own  use  in  singing  the  gospel,  and  sev- 
eral of  these  have  been  published  in  "  Melodious  Son- 
nets" and  "Joyful  Wing."  One  of  these  is  the 
following : 

Blessed  Savior,  my  salvation, 

I  will  trust  in  thee ; 
I  am  saved  from  condemnation, 

I  will  trust  in  thee. 

Sanctify  and  cleanse  me,  Savior, 

I  will  trust  in  thee; 
Let  me  know  thy  blessed  favor, 
I  will  trust  in  thee. 

Here  I  stand,  and  thee  confessing, 

I  will  trust  in  thee; 
Pour  upon  my  heart  thy  blessing, 

I  will  trust  in  thee. 


F.  M.  LAMB. 

1858  . 

Rev.  F.  M.  Lamb  is  a  native  of  Poland,  Me.,  where 
he  was  born  January  30,  1858.  When  he  was  fifteen 
years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Aubnu^n,  Me., 
where  he  remained  until  1882.  During  the  winter  of 
1874,  he  was  converted,  and  May  10,  following,  he  was 
baptized  by  Rev.  G.  P.  Mathews,  d.d.,  pastor  of  the 
Court  Street  Baptist  church,  Auburn.  From  a  child 
Mr.  Lamb  was  fond  of  music,  especially  sacred  music, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  521 

and  he  studied  in  Boston  under  such  instructors  as 
Winch,  Aiken,  and  Adams.  In  1878,  he  labored  with 
Rev.  C.  C.  Frost  in  evangeUstic  services,  singing  solos 
and  leading  the  singing.  lie  was  again  associated 
with  Mr.  Frost  in  1882,  and  1883.  He  then  became 
associate-pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Lowell, 
Mass.,  where  he  remained  two  years,  leading  the 
choir,  singing  in  the  Sunday-school  and  at  all  the  de- 
votional meetings  of  the  church,  and  doing  much  of 
the  pastoral  work.  He  also  conducted  the  singing  at 
conventions  and  special  religious  meetings  in  Boston, 
Lynn,  Chelsea,  and  many  other  places  in  Massachu- 
setts and  Connecticut.  In  January,  1886,  he  accom- 
panied his  pastor,  Rev.  T.  M.  Colwell,  d.d.,  to  Mount 
Vernon,  N.  Y.  Here  his  work  was  much  the  same  as 
in  Lowell,  except  that  at  Mount  Vernon  he  had  charge 
of  a  mission  at  William's  Bridge,  where  he  preached 
twice  on  Sundays,  and  conducted  a  prayer-meeting  on 
Wednesday  evenings.  He  was  frequently  engaged  in 
leading;  the  sing-ing;  in  evang-elistic  meeting's  in  New 
York  and  Brooklyn,  and  as  far  away  as  Minneapolis, 
St.  Paul  and  St.  Louis.  In  the  spring  of  1888,  he  was 
ordained,  and  became  pastor  of  the  church  organized 
at  William's  Bridge. 

Although  Mr.  Lamb  has  given  his  attention  for  the 
most  part  to  music  and  musical  composition,  he  is  the 
author  of  several  hymns.  His  earUest  published 
hymn,  "What  is  thy  Life?"  suggested  by  James  iv. 
14,  was  written  March  4,  1876,  during  a  visit  to  Port- 
land, and  was  published  in  Zion's  Advocate.  Another 
hymn,  "Is  my  Name  There?"  and  commencing 

There  is  a  book,  the  book  of  life, 
The  ransomed  names  are  found  therein, 

was  suggested  by  another  hymn,  which  makes  promi- 
nent the  same  inquiry.  "I  had  heard,"  says  Mr. 
Lamb,  "so  many  sing 

Lord,  I  care  not  for  riches, 
Neither  silver  nor  gold, 


522  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

when  I  knew  they  did  care  for  these  things,  that 
I  wanted  .something  that  all  might  sing  truthfully." 
And  so  he  wrote  this  hymn  in  February,  1885,  and 
has  used  it  much  in  his  work.  Another  hymn,  writ- 
ten by  Mr.  Lamb,  entitled  "^'All,  all  for  me,"  was  sug- 
gested by  the  following  incident  published  in  The 
Watchword:  "A  young  lady,  having  been  deeply 
convicted  of  sin  by  Isa.  liii.  5,  stubbornly  rejected  the 
Savior  for  many  days.  At  last  she  yielded  her  heart 
to  him,  and  found  peace.  On  her  death-bed  a  friend 
said  to  her,  'You  must  suffer  a  great  deal?'  She  re- 
plied, 'Yes';  then  lifting  her  pale,  thin  hand,  she 
said,  'But  there  is  no  nail  there,'  and  pointing  to  her 
brow,  'There  is  no  thorn  there,'  and  laying  her  hand 
on  her  side,  she  added,  'There  is  no  spear-wound 
there;  Jesus  bore  all  these  for  me.  I  have  the 
peace.'  "  The  hymn  was  written  in  December,  1886. 
These  last  two  hymns  are  in  "Beautiful  Beckoning 
Hands"  (1887).  Yet  another  hymn  in  this  collection, 
written  also  by  Mr.  Lamb,  is  the  following : 

Glad  was  my  soul  when  the  rest  was  given, 

Best  in    a    Savior's  love; 
Peace  all  unknown  till  the  chains  were  riven, 

Peace  in  a  Savior's  love. 
Happy  the  day  when  he  made  me  free, 
Daily  his  follower  I  would  be, 
Praise  for  his  wonderful  love  for  me, 

Praise  for  a  Savior's  love. 

Growing  in  grace,  and  the  Savior  stays 

Close  to  my  side  in  love; 
Constantly  with  me  in  all  my  ways, 

So  wondrous  is  his  love. 
Tower  of  my  strength  when  I  'm  weak  with  fear, 
Refuge  at  length  when  the  foe  is  near, 
Rock  of  salvation,  O  sinner,  hear! 

Is  Jesus'  dying  love. 

Brighter  and  brighter  the  great  highway, 

Made  by  a  Savior's  love, 
Grows  more  and  more  into  jierfect  day, 

Crowned  by  a  Savior's  love. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  52S 

Forward  we  press  toward  a  glorious  home, 
Where  no  more  in  sin's  path  we  '11  roam, 
Hear  the  sweet  voice  of  the  Savior,  "  Come, 
Rest  in  eternal  love." 


ARTHUR  S.  PHELPS. 

1863  . 

Arthur  Stevens  Phelps,  third  son  of  the  well 
known  hymn-writer,  Rev.  S.  Dryden  Phelps,  d.d.,  and 
grandson  of  Rev.  James  H.  Linsley  (one  of  the  com- 
pilers of  "Select  Hymns,"  1836),  was  born  in  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  January  23,  1863.  He  was  baptized 
at  the  age  of  thirteen;  began  to  preach  at  nineteen; 
spent  a  year  in  Brown  University;  in  1886,  was 
graduated  B.A.  at  Yale  University,  and  entered  the 
Yale  Divinity  School.  The  following  hymn,  first 
printed  in  the  Christian  Secretary,  April  8,  1885,  a 
few  months  after  it  was  written,  is  number  1218  in 
"Songs  of  Pilgrimage"  (1886),  compiled  by  Rev.  H. 
L.  Hastings: 

Help  me,  my  Lord,  to  grow 

More  like  to  thee, 
Thy  Avondrous  love  to  know, 

Thy  face  to  see. 
Lord  fill  my  soul  m  ith  light, 
Dispel  the  gloom  of  night, 
And  make  me  through  thy  might 

More  like  to  thee. 

Though  rough  the  road  may  be. 

Jagged  and  steep, 
Lord,  though  1  may  not  run, 

Upward  I  '11  creep. 
When  nightly  shadows  fall, 
When  doubts  and  fears  appall, 
Then  may  I  rise  from  all, 

More  like  to  thee. 


52  i  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Or  if  my  footsteps  sink 
la  doubt's  dark  wave, 

May  I  like  Peter  cry, 
Lord  Jesus,  save  I 

So  by  my  faith  to  prove 

Thine  all  redeeming  love; 

Oh,  make  me,  heavenly  Dove, 
More  like  to  thee. 

And  when  from  Pisgah's  height 

Canaan  I  view; 
When  faith  shall  change  to  sight, 

Old  things  to  new; 
Then  in  a  nobler  song, 
Through  all  the  ages  long, 
I  '11  stand  amid  the  throng, 

Made  like  to  thee. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  525 


GERMAN  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND    THEIR    HYMNS. 


GOTTFRIED  W.  LEHMANN. 

1799-1882. 

Gottfried  Wilhelm  LEHMA^q^N  was  born  in 
Hambarg,  Germany,  October  23,  1799.  Soon  after 
liis  birth  his  parents  removed  to  Berlin,  the  capital  of 
Prussia.  While  a  youth  he  went  to  Leer,  in  East 
Frieslancl,  to  learn  the  saddler's  trade  of  his  uncle. 
But  not  long  after,  he  came  to  feel  that  this  was  not 
to  be  his  occupation  for  life,  and  near  the  close  of 
1817,  he  returned  to  Berlin,  where  he  became  an 
engraver  and  lithographer.  While  in  East  Friesland, 
he  was  attracted  to  the  Christian  f^iith,  and  soon  after 
his  return  to  Berlin  he  joined  a  circle  of  believers  who 
were  interested  in  the  furtherance  of  the  work  of 
Christian  missions,  the  circulation  of  Bibles,  and  the 
cause  of  temperance.  In  order  to  procure  Bibles  at 
a  low  cost  Mr.  Lehmann  applied  to  J.  G.  Oncken,  of 
Himburg,  who  was  at  that  time  an  agent  of  the 
Edinburgh  Bible  Society,  now  the  National  Bible 
Society  of  Scotland.  In  this  way,  between  these  two 
men  an  acquaintance  was  formed  which  was  to  be  of 
great  importance  to  the  cause  of  Christ  in  the  Father- 
land. 

This  was  in  1830.  Oncken  was  baptized  by  Dr. 
Sears  at  Hamburg,  April  22,  1834.  Lehmann,  who 
by  independent  study  of  God's  Word  had  quite  early 
been  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  believer's  baptism, 


526  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

was  baptized  with  six  others,  May  14,  1837,  by 
Oncken,  in  a  lake  near  Berlin.  On  the  following 
day  this  little  flock  of  disciples  was  organized  as  a 
Baptist  church,  and  Lehniann  was  appointed  pastor, 
although  he  still  continued  his  business  tasks.  At 
first,  almost  unsurmountable  difficulties  and  severe 
persecutions  were  encountered  by  these  Berlin  Bap- 
tists. In  1838,  Mr.  Lehmann  entered  the  service  of 
the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union,  and  devoted 
one-half  of  his  time  to  missionary  work.  In  1840,  he 
went  to  England,  where  in  Salter's  Hall  Chapel,  Can- 
non Street,  London,  he  was  ordained  June  29.  The 
revolution  of  1848,  brought  to  the  German  Baptists  in 
Prussia  entire  liberty.  Many  and  extensive  mission- 
ary tours  were  made  by  Lehniann  into  eastern 
Prussia,  where  great  success  attended  his  labors.  He 
also  again  visited  England,  and  collected  funds  for  a 
chapel  in  Berlin.  At  length  the  Baptists  in  Berlin, 
through  his  labors,  secured  a  comfortable  home,  which 
became  the  headquarters  of  wide-spread  activities. 

Mr.  Lehmann  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Berlin 
branch  of  the  Evans-elical  Alliance.  AlthouLj:h  he  was 
stricken  down  by  disease  several  times,  he  lived  to  see 
the  Baptist  church  in  Berlin  receive  the  rights  of 
incorporation,  and  died  February  21,  1882.  Mr. 
Lehmann  possessed  the  gift  of  leadership,  and  with 
Oncken  and  Kobner  guided  the  Baptist  movement  in 
Germany  many  years.  It  would  be  difficult  to  over- 
estimate the  value  of  his  services,  and  his  labors  were 
blessed  to  the  awakening  and  conversion  of  a  large 
number  of  devoted  Christian  men  and  women. 

Mr.  Lehmann  translated  "  Pengilly's  Scripture  Guide 
to  Baptism,"  and  he  was  the  author  of  several  theo- 
logical tracts.  He  was  also  the  author  of  quite  a 
number  of  hymns,  several  of  which  are  in  ''  Die 
Glaubensharfe,"  viz: 

"  O  welche  grosse  Friedens-Schaar;" 
"  Wenn  Zions  Weg  verlasst  ein  Herz," 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  527 

"Du  versankst  in  das  Grab," 

"  Gliiubig  tauch'  ich  nieder," 

"  Heil!  uns  vereint  die  Jesuslieb'," 

"  Am  Grabe  steh'n  wir  stille," 

and  the  following  : 

O  Liebe,  wie  gross 

Und  schon  ist  das  Loos, 

An  Deiner  Gestalt  sich  zu  weiden! 

Durch  Dich,  meinen  Gott, 

Erloset  vom  Tod, 

Entzucken  micli  liimmliche  Freuden! 

Bald  wird  Er  Sein  Herr 

Im  gliisernen  Meer 

Zum  Quell'  ew'ger  Wonnen  geleiten  — 

D'rum  soil  hier  beim  Mahl 

Im  irdischen  Thai 

Sein  Weib  sich  zur  Hochzeit  bereiten. 

[Translation  by  Louise  H.  Coburn.] 

O  love,  how  divine 

A  blessing  is  mine. 
To  taste  of  thy  body  supernal, 

By  thee,  O  my  God, 

Redeemed  from  the  rod, 
Enravished  with  pleasures  eternal. 

His  flock  soon  shall  he 

Lead  over  the  sea 
To  fountains  of  joy  ever-flowing; 

By  sacrament  wine. 

To  marriage  divine. 
His  bride  must  make  ready  for  going. 


528  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

SIGISMUND  KUPFER. 

1803-1882  (?) 

SiGiSMUND  KuPFER  was  born  in  1803,  in   Berne, 
Switzerland,  where  he  studied  theology,  and  later  was 
connected  with  the  Free  Evangelical  Society,  a  com- 
pany of    pious  members  of  the  state  church  banded 
together   for   the    evangelization   of    the    canton    of 
Berne.      In    1848,    having    previously   married    Miss 
Julia   Haller,  a  most  estimable  lady,  he   emigrated  to 
this  country.     Meeting  with  Baptists  on  his  arrival  in 
New  York,  he  became  convinced  of  the  scripturalness 
of  their  views,  and  united  with  the  First  German  Bap- 
tist church  in  that  city.     Soon  after  he  was  ordained, 
and  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church 
in  Newark,  N.  J.     In  1850,  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  and 
became  pastor  of  the  German  Baptist  church  in  that 
city.     While  there,  he  baptized  Prof.  Rauschenbusch. 
After   withdrawing  from   his  work  in   St.   Louis,   he 
spent  the  most  of  his  remaining  life  in  retirement,  in 
Highland,  111.,  but  supplied  for  a  time  the  First  Ger- 
man Baptist  church  in   Buffalo,  N.   Y.     These   later 
years  of  his  life  he  devoted  to  the  study  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, to  a  very  fruitful  and  spiritual  correspondence, 
and  to  the  preparation  of  contributions  in  prose  and 
verse  for  Der  Sendbote,  the   German  Baptist  paper 
published  in  Cleveland,  Ohio.     Mr.  Kiipfer  was  a  man 
of  earnest  piety,  sound  theological  training,  and  his 
sermons  were  full  of  thought,  and  excellent  food  for 
the  soul,  though  they  failed  to  attract  the  masses  on 
account  of  defects  in   his  delivery.     He   died  full  of 
years,  and  highly  esteemed  for  his  own  and  for  his 
work's  sake,  about  the  year  1882. 

The  following  hymn  by  Mr.  Kiipfer  is  455  in  "  Die 
Pilgerharfe  ": 

Lobsinge,  getaufte  Geraeinde  des  Herrn, 
Ihr  Glaubigen  alle  von  nahe  und  fern! 
Es  eint  uns  rait  Christo  ein  heiliger  Bund, 
Hat  Gottes  Verheissung  zum  ewigen  Grund! 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  529 

Wir  zeugen,  gerettet  von  SUnde  und  Noth, 
Von  Jesu  Erldsung  durch  Marter  und  Tod ; 
Ja,  mit  Ihm  begraben  dem  weltlichen  Lauf , 
Steh'n  neu  wir  mit  Jesu  zum  himmlischen  auf. 

Wir  freuen  uns  iiber  dies  heilige  Bad, 
Zieh'n  erdeentfesselt  den  dornigen  Pfad; 
Durchdrungen  vom  Geiste  rait  himmlischem  Sinn, 
Blickt  froh  unser  Glaube  zum  Kleinod  schon  bin! 

O  steige  hernieder,  Gott,  Heiliger  Geist, 
Der  uns  zu  dem  Sohne,  dem  Einigen,  weist. 
Entzieh'  Deiner  Gegenwart  freundliches  Licht, 
Das  Zeugniss  der  Gnade,  o  Vater,  uns  nicbt! 

Lobsinge,  erloste,  getaufte  Geraein'! 
Dring'  vorwarts  zum  Lichte,  ins  Leben  dring'  ein, 
Zum  Land  der  Verheissung,  zur  seligen  Ruh', 
Dring'  vorwarts,  dein  Heiland  winkt  freundlich  dir  zu! 


In  anthems  of  praise,  O  church  of  the  Lord, 
Now  join  your  glad  voices  in  blessed  accord, 
United  to  Christ  in  a  covenant  sure. 
Which  rests  on  God's  promise  and  e'er  must  endure. 

We  're  witnesses,  rescued  from  sin  and  the  grave, 
By  Jesus,  who  came  both  to  seek  and  to  save; 
With  him  we  are  buried  to  the  world  and  its  strife, 
And  with  him  are  risen  to  newness  of  life. 

We  joy  as  we  look  upon  this  sacred  bath, 
As  together  we  journey  o'er  life's  thorny  path; 
The  mind  of  the  Spirit  our  guide  day  by  day. 
While  faith  joyful  looks  to  the  prize  far  away. 

Descend  now  upon  us  thou  Spirit  divine. 
And  to  the  dear  Savior  our  hearts  all  incline ; 
The  light  of  thy  presence  upon  us  let  fall, 
The  witness  of  grace  bestow  on  us  all. 

Redeemed  of  the  Lord,  let  anthems  of  praise, 
As  you  press  toward  the  light,  your  glad  voices  raise; 
The  bright  land  of  promise  provides  blissful  rest. 
And  Jesus  invites  you  to  come  and  be  blest. 
34 


530  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JULIUS  KOBNER. 

1807-1884. 

Julius  Kobner  was  born  June  11, 1807,  at  Odensee, 
capital  of  the  island  Fiihnen,  and  next  to  Copenhagen 
the  most  important  place  in  Denmark.  As  the  son  of 
the  head  rabbi  he  was  brought  up  in  all  the  traditions 
of  Jewish  lore,  receiving  careful  instruction  in  a  good 
school.  Later  he  became  an  engraver,  and  having 
entered  into  a  marriage  engagement  with  a  young 
lady  of  noble  birth,  the  young  couple,  on  account  of 
the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  such  a  union  in  their 
native  land,  left  Denmark,  and  took  up  their  residence 
in  Wandersbeck,  Germany.  Here  they  renounced 
Judaism,  entered  the  state  church,  and  were  married 
by  a  special  act  of  grace  from  the  Danish  king. 

It  is  not  known  that  at  this  time  Mr.  Kobner  was 
especially  interested  in  religious  things.  Somewhat 
later,  while  residing  in  Liibeck,  he  was  on  friendly 
terms  with  Dr.  Geibel,  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Church. 
Afterward  he  earned  a  livelihood  as  a  play-writer  in 
Hamburg.  But  while  in  Hamburg  he  made  the 
acqaintance  of  John  G.  Oncken,  who  made  known  to 
him  the  way  of  life  so  clearly  that  soon  he  could  say 
of  the  Messiah,  "  Rabbi,  thou  art  the  Son  of  God,  thou 
art  the  King  of  Israel." 

May  7,  1836,  Mr.  Kobner  was  baptized  by  Oncken. 
Until  1852,  he  assisted  Oncken  as  pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Hamburg  and  also  as  a  missionary.  An 
earnest  student,  he  was  interested  in  the  wide  field  of 
knowledge,  and  made  himself  familiar  with  the  Greek, 
Latin  and  Engi:lish  lano-uag-es,  in  addition  to  the 
Hebrew,  Danish  and  German  languages  with  which  he 
was  already  familiar.  From  1852,  to  1866,  he  was 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  BarmcM,  Rhenish 
Prussia,  a  church  of  which  he  was  the  founder.  In 
1866,  he  went  to  Copenhagen,  where  he  labored  until 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  531 

1879.  He  then  returned  to  Barmen,  and  in  1883, 
became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Berlin.  Here 
he  closed  his  work,  dying  February  2,  1884,  one 
month  after  Oncken's  death,  and  nearly  two  years 
after  the  death  of  Lehmann. 

Kobner  unquestionably  was  the  ablest  of  the  leaders 
of  the  German  Baptist  movement  inaugurated  by 
Oncken.  Somewhat  of  a  mystic,  he  was  the  most 
eloquent  preacher  the  Baptists  in  Germany  have 
produced.  His  poetical  faculties  Avere  of  a  high 
order,  and  he  was  fond  of  giving  expression  to  his 
thoughts  in  verse.  He  was  a  prolific  hymn-writer. 
Many  of  his  hymns  were  included  in  the  "  Glaubens- 
stimme,"  the  German  Baptist  hymn  book  which  he 
compiled.  The  "  Harfentone  "  was  also  compiled  by 
him.  He  also  published  a  collection  of  his  own 
hymns,  which  he  entitled  the  "Liederstrauss."  His 
other  poetical  works  were  "  Die  Waldenser "  and 
"  Das  Lied  von  Gott."  Of  the  last.  President  Hovey, 
of  Newton  Theological  Institution,  gave  an  extended 
notice  in  the  Baptist  Quarterly  Review  for  July,  1877. 
It  is  in  dramatic  form,  with  some  fine  lyrical  passages. 
One  of  these,  on  the  sufferings  of  Christ  in  Gethsem- 
ane,  Dr.  Hovey  translates  as  follows: 

In  dark  Getlisemane  he  wept; 

To  him  the  cup  of  death  was  given; 
Though  perfectly  the  law  he  kept, 

His  soul  with  pangs  of  hell  was  riven. 
The  sins  of  all  he  made  his  own, 
And  for  their  guilt  he  must  atone. 

The  dues  of  justice  must  be  paid; 

His  bloody  sweat  did  therefore  fall; 
God's  hate  of  sin  was  on  his  head, 

He  felt  the  burden,  bore  it  all. 
The  cup  of  woe  he  fully  drained, 
And  conquered  while  his  soul  was  pained. 

Though  scorn  and  scourging  he  endured, 

Yet  light  was  in  the  victor's  heart; 
And  of  his  Father's  will  assured 


532  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

"VYliile  tlying,  peace  he  doth  impart; 
He  answers,  if  the  robber  pray, 
And  gives  him  Paradise  "  today." 

Soon  darkness  veiled  the  noonday  sun, 
And  darkness  filled  the  Savior's  mind. 

The  throng  was  awestruck,  but  alone 
In  starless  gloom  his  spirit  pined. 

No  ray  of  light  fell  from  above, 

And  yet  the  Father  he  would  love. 

Long  hours  have  passed.     He  cries  to  God: 
"  Why  hast  thou  me  forsaken  now  ?  " 

The  Father  hears,  removes  the  rod. 
With  answering  love  and  radiant  brow. 

He  knows  the  victory  is  won, 

And  shouts  aloud:  "  My  work  is  done." 

Of    Kobner's  hymns  the    following    are    especially 
worthy  of  mention : 

"  Lobt  in  Seinem  Heiligthume," 
"  Lebensqueir  I  Israel," 
"  Nach  Seinem  heil'gen  Worte," 
*'  Zermalmtes  Brod  des  Lebens," 
"  Es  ist  Tag  —  Bist  du  wach  ?  " 

and  the  following : 

Vollkomm'ne  heil'ge  Majestat, 

Jehovah  fur  und  fiir, 

Hoch  iiber  all'  Dein  Werk  erhohtl 

Hier  stehen  wir  vor  Dir, 

Und  fiihlen,  dass  wir  gar  Nichts  sind; 

Doch  freut  sich  Jeder  wie  ein  Kind, 

Das  Du  so  gross  und  herrlich  bist, 

Indem  er  Deinen  Scepter  kiisst. 

Verwirf  uns  nicht 

Von  Deinem  Angesicht! 

Ach,  dies  ist  eine  Siinderschaar, 
Wir  haben  Dich  betriibtl 
Doch  Deine  Liebe,  Gott,  gebar 
Uns  Rettung:  Jesus  giebt 
Uns  Unschuld  und  GerechtigkeitI 


AXD  THEIR  HYMNS.  533 

In  Seinem  Namen  steh'n  wir  heut' 
Vor  Dir  und  neaiien  "  Vater!  "  Dich, 
Unci  jede  Seele  freuet  sich; 
Wir  freu'n  uns  Dein  — 
Es  ist  bei  Dir  gut  sein! 

Wie  selig  siiid  wir  eins  mit  Gott; 

Ein  Menscli  sitzt  auf  dem  Tliron, 

Der  eiust,  wie  wir  sind,  war  eia  Spott, 

Jehovah,  Gottes  Sohn! 

Heut'  ist  Sein  grosser  Siegestag  — 

Ihm  Nichts  raelir  widerstehen  mag. 

Nua  send'  uns,  Herr,  Uein  raiichtig  "Wort, 

Und  trage  Deine  Beute  fort! 

Mit  Herz  und  Hand 

Set  jetzt  uns  zugewandt! 

The  following  translation  of  this  hymn,  by  David 
Chandler  Gilmore,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  appeared  in 
the  Examiner,  July  29,  1886  : 

All  perfect,  holy  majesty 
Enthroned  above  the  skies, 
The  Lord  through  all  eternity! 
To  thee  we  lift  our  eyes. 
That  we  are  nothing  well  we  know, 
Yet  every  heart  rejoices  so, 
That  thou  art  gi'eat  and  glorious, 
And  holdst  thy  sceptre  forth  to  us. 
Before  thy  face 
Refuse  us  not  a  place. 

A  company  of  sinners  we, 
We  all  have  made  thee  grieve; 
But  in  thy  changeless  love  we  see 
Our  safety.     We  receive 
Erom  Jesus  Christ  our  righteousness; 
We  stand  before  thee  in  this  dress; 
And  Abba,  Father,  can  we  say; 
And  all  our  hearts  rejoice  alway  — 
Rejoice  in  thee, 
Here  is  it  good  to  be. 


534  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

In  God  how  great  our  blessedness ; 

A  man  is  on  the  throne 

Who  all  the  weight  of  weariness 

And  human  scorn  has  known. 

His  day  of  triumph  is  begun, 

What  shall  withstand  Jehovah's  Son? 

Send  us  thy  mighty  word  today, 

Victorious  bear  the  spoil  away, 

With  heart  and  hand 

Be  present  in  our  band. 


CONRAD  A.  FLETSCHMANN. 

1812-1867. 

Conrad  A.  Fleischmanx  was  the  pioneer  German 
Baptist  missionary  in  the  United  States.  He  was 
born  in  Nuremberg,  Bavaria,  April  18,  1812.  Here 
he  was  brought  up  in  the  Lutheran  faith.  Having 
learned  a  trade,  he  set  out  in  his  nineteenth  year  to 
complete  his  apprenticeship  in  other  cities.  In 
Geneva  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  some  earnest 
Christians,  by  whom  he  was  led  into  a  fuller  light  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ.  This  was  in  1831.  Soon  after, 
he  was  baptized  at  Basel,  and  in  obedience  to  his  con- 
victions of  duty  he  now  entered  upon  a  course  of 
theological  study  at  Berne.  Three  years  later  he 
commenced  Christian  work  in  the  Emmenthal.  In 
1837,  he  returned  to  Nuremberg,  and  in  the  following 
year,  at  the  invitation  of  George  Miiller,  he  visited 
Bristol,  England,  and  in  1839,  he  came  to  the  United 
States  for  the  purpose  of  doing  missionary  work 
among  his  countrymen. 

He  began  his  work  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  and  in  Octo- 
ber, he  baptized  three  converts,  the  first  fruits  of  his 
labors.     Others  foUowed.     Later  he  went  to  Reading, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  535 

Penn.,  where  great  success  attended  his  wovk  among 
the  Germans  there.  In  1842,  he  removed  to  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  organized  a  German  Baptist  church. 
During  his  pastorate  there  he  did  missionary  service 
in  other  parts  of  the  country.  In  1852,  the  first 
Conference  of  German  Baptists  was  held,  and  Mr. 
Fleischmann,  by  appointment  of  the  Conferiace,  com- 
menced in  the  following  year  the  publication  of  Der 
Sendbote,  then  a  monthly  paper.  The  first  meeting 
of  the  General  German  Baptist  Conference  vas  held 
in  1865.  Der  Sendbote  was  now  made  a  weekly 
paper,  and  Mr.  Fleischmann  became  associate  editor. 
October  15,  1867,  after  preaching  an  impressive  ser- 
mon from  the  text,  "Thus  saith  the  Lord:  set  thy 
house  in  order,  for  thou  shalt  die,  and  not  live,"  his 
long  and  eminently  useful  career  was  suddenly  term- 
inated by  death.  Mr.  Fleischmann  was  a  devout, 
earnest,  affectionate  disciple  of  the  Master,  and  loved 
the  w^ork  of  winning  souls  to  Christ.  His  services  as 
founder  of  the  German  Baptist  churches  in  the  United 
States  wall  lono;  be  remembered. 

In  "Die  Glaubensharfe  "  are  two  hymns,  —  526  and 
610 — by  Mr.  Fleischmann,  both  translations;  one, 

Ich  Hebe,  Herr,  Dein  Reich, 
a  German  version  of  the  well  known  hymn, 
I  love  thy  kingdom,  Lord, 

and  the  other  a  German  version  of 

Lord,  I  hear  of  showers  of  blessing, 


as  follows 


Herr,  ich  liore,  Du  willst  geben 
Gnadengiisse  gniidiglich, 
Die  das  diirre  Land  beleben, 
.  Lass  es  tr'aufeln  auch  auf  mich. 
Ja,  auf  mich  —  Ja,  auf  mich  — 
Lass  es  traufeln  auch  auf  mich. 


536  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Uebersieh'  micli  niclit,  o  Yaterl 
Zeigt  mein  Herz  audi  trotzig  sich; 
Bleibe  meines  Heils  Verather, 
Blick'  in  Gnaden  stets  auf  mich. 
Ja,  auf  mich  —  Ja,  auf  mich  — 
Blick'  in  Guaden  stets  auf  mich. 

Uebersieh'  mich  nicht,  Erloser! 
Lass  mich  recht  erfassen  Dich. 
Maclie  meiu  Yeriangen  grosser, 
Du  rufst  Yiele,  ruf  audi  mich. 
Ja,  auch  mich  —  Ja,  audi  mich  — 
Du  rufst  Yiele,  ruf  auch  micli. 

Uebersieh'  mich  nicht,  o  Trofter! 
Meiner  Blindheit  Banden  bricli; 
Weil  ich  bin  des  Herru  Erloster, 
Driick'  Deiii  Siegel  fest  auf  mich. 
Ja,  auf  mich  —  Ja,  auf  mich  — 
Driick'  Dein  Siegel  fest  auf  mich. 

Liebe  Gottes,  o  verschone! 
Christi  Blut,  tritt  auf  und  sprich 
Dorten  vor  dem  Gnadenthrone, 
Dass  verslihnet  Du  auch  mich. 
Ja,  auch  mich  —  Ja,  auch  mich  — 
Dass  versiilinet  Du  audi  mich. 


AUGUSTUS  RAUSCHENBUSCH. 

1816  . 

Prof.  Augustus  Rauschexbusch,  d.d.,  was  born 
in  Altena,  Westphalia,  Germany,  February  13,  1816. 
His  father,  from  whom  he  received  careful  early  in- 
struction, was  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  that 
city.  When  fourteen  years  of  age  he  entered  the 
gymnasium  at  Elberfeld,  and  four  years  later  he 
entered  the  theological  department  of  the  University 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  537 

of  Berlin.  Here,  under  the  influence  of  Neander  and 
other  pious  friends,  he  was  led  to  a  saving  knowledge 
of  the  truth.  Later  he  studied  natural  science  and 
theology  at  the  University  of  Bonn.  When  his  father 
died  in  1841,  he  was  made  his  father's  successor;  and 
his  earnest  evangelical  efforts  at  Altena  were  greatly 
blessed.  But  he  was  not  at  ease  under  the  restrictions 
of  his  position,  and  in  1846,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic 
to  labor  among  his  countrymen  in  the  United  States. 
He  preached  a  short  time  in  Missouri.  In  1847,  he 
was  placed  in  charge  of  the  German  tract  department 
of  the  American  Tract  Society  in  New  York.  While 
in  this  position  he  was  led  to  examine  the  question  of 
baptism,  and  as  a  result  of  his  investigations  he  ac- 
cepted Baptist  views,  and  was  baptized  in  May,  1850. 
In  1851,  he  labored  awhile  in  Canada,  and  organized 
the  first  German  Baptist  churches  there,  though  he 
did  not  sever  his  connection  with  the  American  Tract 
Society  until  1853.  He  then  visited  his  native  land. 
Returning  to  the  United  States  with  a  party  of  emi- 
grants in  1854,  he  settled  with  them  in  Missouri.  In 
1855,  he  organized  a  German  Baptist  church  in  Gas- 
conade, Mo.  In  1855,  at  the  request  of  the  New 
Y^ork  Baptist  Union,  he  organized  the  German  Depart- 
ment of  the  Theological  Seminary  in  Rochester,  N. 
Y.,  and  received  an  appointment  as  professor.  This 
he  filled  with  great  acceptance,  performing  a  most 
valuable  service  for  the  German  Baptist  churches  in 
the  United  States,  until  the  summer  of  1888,  when  he 
resigned  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  returned  to  his 
native  land,  bearing  with  him  the  love  and  honor,  not 
only  of  his  fellow-countrymen  in  the  United  States, 
for  whom  he  had  so  long  and  faithfully  labored,  but 
also  the  love  and  honor  of  all  who,  during  his  work  in 
this  country,  had  in  any  way  been  associated  with 
him,  or  had  known  his  work.  May  his  last  days, 
amid  the  scenes  of  his  youth,  be  crowned  with  abun- 
dant blessings ! 


538  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Dr.  Rausclienbusch  is  the  author  of  a  learned  tract 
on  the  Lord's  Day,  pubhshed  in  Enghsh  and  German 
by  the  American  Tract  Society.  He  was  also  the 
compiler  of  the  "  Pilgerharf  e,"  a  collection  of  hymns 
for  use  in  the  German  Baptist  churches.  The  follow- 
ing hymn  (32-4)  in  this  collection  was  written  by 
Dr.  Rauschenbusch : 

In  des  Jordans  kiihle  Wellen 
Stieg  der  Heilaud  eiust  liinab; 
Sehet,  wie  sie  um  Ihn  schwellen, 
Ihn  bedcckend  als  ein  Grab. 
Seht  hier  Seine  heisse  Lieb' 
Zu  den  Siindern,  die  Ihn  trieb, 
Dass  Er  sank  in  Todesnothen, 
Tins  vom  ew'gen  Tod  zu  rotten. 

Ja,  Er  ist  fiir  uns  gestorben, 
Hat  vom  Eluch  uns  frei  gemacht, 
Ileil  und  Lcben  uns  erworbeu 
Und  den  Himmel  wiederbracht. 
Ihm  gehoren  wir  nun  an, 
Folgeu  Ihm  auf  Seiner  Bahn; 
Ohne  Klagen,  ohne  Zagen 
"Woll'n  wir  Ihm  das  Kreuz  nachtragen. 

D'rum  wohlan,  ihr  liebe  Kinder, 
Hat  Er  euch  befreit  vom  Fluch  ? 
Liebt  ihr  euren  Ueberwinder  ? 
Fiihlt  ihr  Seines  Geistes  Zug  ? 
O,  so  traget  Seme  Sclimach! 
Folgt  Ilim  in  die  Flulhcn  nach! 
Wo  das  Haupt  vorangegangen, 
Darf's  den  Gliedern  nimmer  ban^en. 


Once  M'here  flows  the  sacred  Jordan, 
Christ  was  buried  'neath  the  wave. 
See  the  Avaters  swelling  round  him, 
In  this  emblematic  gravel 
See  how  glowed  his  tender  love 
For  the  sinful,  when  he  strove 
"With  the  mightiest  powers  infernal, 
Snatching  souls  from  death  eternal. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  539 

Yes,  for  us  on  Calvary  dying, 
He  from  sin  has  made  us  free, 
Life  and  fullest  pardon  winning, 
Blessedness  for  you  and  me. 
His  we  are  from  this  glad  day, 
Tollow  him  in  his  own  way, 
Uncomplaining,  his  cross  bearing, 
He  for  us  our  nature  wearing. 

Therefore  on,  ye  well-loved  children; 
Are  j-ou  from  the  curse  made  free  ? 
Glows  your  heart  with  love  for  Jesus, 
Crucified  upon  the  tree  ? 
Ye  who  bear  his  s.icred  name. 
Follow  him  through  floods  and  flame. 
Where  our  Head  has  gone  before  us, 
"VVe  may  tread,  his  banner  o'er  us. 


PHILIPP  BICKEL. 

1821  . 

PtEV.  PniLirp  BiCKEL,  D.D.,  was  born  September  7, 
1821,  in  Weinheim,  Grand  Duchy  of  Baden,  Germany. 
His  education  he  received  at  Bender's  Collegiate  In- 
stitute in  Weinheim.  In  1847,  he  was  apprenticed  to 
a  notary  public,  preparatory  to  state  service.  On 
account  of  his  participation  in  the  revolution  in  Baden 
in  1848,  however,  he  was  compelled  to  leave  his  native 
land  and,  in  the  summer  of  1848,  he  made  his  way  to 
the  United  States.  Here  for  a  time  he  found  employ- 
ment as  a  printer  and  as  a  teacher.  In  the  winter  of 
1851,  he  was  converted  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  J. 
Coggeshall,  and  was  baptized  in  Lake  Michigan,  near 
Waukegan,  111.  Not  long  afterward  the  conviction 
ripened  that  it  was  his  duty  to  preach  among  his  own 
countrymen  the  gospel  he  had  received.     To  fit  him- 


540  BAPTIST  HYMN^  WRITERS 

self  for  this  work,  he  .availed  himself  of  the  theolog- 
ical course  at  the  Rochester  Theological  Seminary. 
After  his  graduation  in  1855,  he  entered  upon  mis- 
sionary work  among  the  Germans,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
where  he  succeeded  in  organizing  a  German  Baptist 
church.  As  the  pastor  of  this  church  he  was  ordained 
in  September,  1857.  Here  he  built  a  chapel,  and 
published  the  first  German  Sunday-school  paper.  In 
1865,  the  German  General  Baptist  Conference  ap- 
pointed Mr.  Bickel  president  of  the  newly  organized 
German  Baptist  Publication  Society,  and  withdrawing 
from  the  pastorate  he  removed  to  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
which  became  the  Society's  headquarters.  Here  he 
built  the  German  Baptist  Publishing  House  in  1871, 
and  superintended  the  Society's  publication  work, 
which  included  the  editorship  of  Der  Sendbote.  As  a 
recognition  of  his  scholarly  worth,  Denison  Univer- 
sity conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divin- 
ity. In  1878,  by  appointment  of  the  American  Bap- 
tist Publication  Society,  and  at  the  request  of  promi- 
nent Baptists  in  Germany,  Dr.  Bickel  returned  to  his 
native  land  to  re-organize  the  publication  work  of  the 
German  Baptists  in  Hamburg,  which  has  since  that 
time  been  his  residence.  In  this  work  Dr.  Bickel  has 
been  successful.  Beside  superintending  the  jDublica- 
tion  work,  he  edits  Der  Walirheitszeuge,  and  in  vari- 
ous ways  he  is  performing  a  service  for  the  Baptists 
of  Germany,  which  is  gratefully  recognized. 

Dr.  Bickel  has  been  greatly  interested  in  Sunday- 
school  work.  While  in  the  United  States  he  compiled 
a  Sunday-school  hymn-book  entitled  "  Das  Singvoge- 
lein,"  which  has  been  greatly  enlarged  since  its  first 
publication.  As  good  Sunday-school  hymns  in  the 
German  language  were  rare.  Dr.  Bickel  translated 
some  American  favorites,  and  added  also  some  of  his 
own  compositions.  This  book  has  not  only  had  a 
large  circulation  in  this  country,  but  also  in  Germany, 
and  many  of  its  hymns  have  been  transferred  to  col- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  541 

lections    used   by    other    denominations.       Prominent 
among  these  Sunday-school  hymns  by  Dr.  Bickel  are 

"  Herr,  nimm  mich  bei  der  Hand," 
"  Ich  horte  von  Liindern  voll  Pracht." 

Six  of  Dr.   Bickel's  hymns  are  in  "  Die    Glaubens- 
harfe."     One  of  them  (611)  is  the  following  : 

Nimm  mein  Herz,  o  Yater,  beug'  es, 
Lass  es  ganz  Dein  eigen  sein; 
Heil'ger  Geist,  zersclimelz',  erweich'  es, 
Mache  Fleiscli  aus  diesem  Stein! 
la  dem  Herzen,  Ileiland,  walte, 
Priige  selbst  Deiu  Bild  hinein! 
Wie  sich  auch  mein  Geist  entfalte, 
Halt'  mein  Herze  sanft  und  klein. 

Yater,  mach'  es  frei  von  Siinden, 
Friedlich,  still,  wis  Dir'sgefallt; 
Hilf  ilim  stets  zu  iiberwinden 
Diese  arge,  schnode  Welt. 
Gott,  in  Jesu  Blut  und  Wunden 
Tauch'  es,  gieb  ilim  siisse  Ruh'; 
Und  audi  in  den  biingsten  Stunden, 
Giit'ger  Yater,  troste  Dul 

[Translation  by  Louise  H.  Cobum.] 

Take  my  heart,  O  Father,  make  it . 

"Wholly  and  for  aye  thine  own ; 
Holy  Spirit,  melt  it,  break  it, 

Soften  into  flesh  this  stone. 
Liker  thine  may  it  be  growing. 

Savior,  thou  its  sovereign  art; 
While  my  soul  unfolds,  upgoing, 

Meek  and  lowly  keep  my  heart. 

Father,  shelter  it  from  evil; 

Bid  it  find  in  thee  its  home ; 
Help  it  world,  and  flesh  and  devil, 

By  thy  strength  to  overcome. 
God,  in  Jesus'  blood  and  anguish 

Cleanse  my  heart,  and  give  it  rest; 
When  in  darkest  hours  I  languish, 

Comfort  thou  my  troubled  breast. 


542  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

CONRAD  BODENBENDER. 

1823  . 

Conrad  Bodenbender  was  born  July  10,  1823,  at 
Heskem,  Hesse-Cassel,  Germany.  He  entered  Roch- 
ester Theological  Seminary,  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  in 
1854,  and  remained  four  3^ears.  In  1856,  he  was 
ordained  at  Newark,  N.  J.  His  pastorates  have  been 
as  follows:  Tavistock,  Ontario,  1861-1865;  Berlin, 
Ontario,  1865-1871;  Chicago,  111.,  1871-1873;  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  First  German  Baptist  church,  since  1873. 

In  '-Die  Glaubensharfe,"  Mr.  Bodenbender  has 
three  hymns, 

"  Ja,  Herr,  icli  will  Dir  dienen," 

"  Die  Pilger  zur  Heimath  der  Seligen  zieh'n,'' 

and  the  following  : 

Der  Leib  nur  sinkt  entseelt  liinab 
Als  Saatkorn  in  das  off'ne  Grab. 
Der  Herr  dem  Grab  sein  Siegel  bricht, 
TVenn  Er  das  "  Auferstehet!  "  spricht. 

Der  Leib  im  Grab  in  Staub  zerfallt, 
Das  ihn  als  Siegesbeute  halt, 
Bis  Jesu  Ruf  durchs  Weltall  tont, 
Die  Graber  mit  Verklarung  kront, 

Das  Grab  schliesst  nie  die  Seelen  ein, 
AVeil  sie  nicht  von  der  Erde  sein. 
Weht  auch  der  Todeshauch  sie  an, 
Der  Tod  sie  nie  vernichten  kann. 

Der  Leib  —  der  Goites  Tempel  ist, 
Entschlummert  sanft  in  Jesus  Christ. 
Der  Geist  doch,  wenn  die  Hiitte  fallt, 
Lebt  ewig  fort  in  sel'ger  Welt. 

Der  Mensch  mit  Engeln  ist  verwandt, 
Den  Menchenleib  schuf  Gottes  Hand. 
Die  Seele  hauchte  Gott  ihm  ein, 
Ist  geistig  und  wird  ewig  sein. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  643 

Im  Grab,  wenn  fiillt  die  lelzte  Last, 
Der  Gliiub'  gen  Leib  hiilt  Sabbathrast. 
Meiu  Leib,  der  wird,  mag  er  vergeh'n, 
Verklart,  wie  Jesus,  aufersteli'u. 

Und  wann  der  grosse  Tag  erwacht; 
Wo  ist,  o  Grab!  danii  deine  Macht  ? 
Und,  Tod!  wo  deine  AUgewalt, 
Wenn  Jesu  Ruf  durch  Griiber  hallt  ? 

[Translation  by  Louise  H.  Coburn.] 

The  body  only,  soulless  now. 
Like  seed-corn  in  the  grave  lies  low. 
The  Lord  shall  break  the  seal  of  death, 
When  to  his  own,  "  Arisel  "  he  saith. 

The  body  falls  to  dust  away, 
Is  held  beneath  the  conquerer's  sway, 
Till  Jesus'  call  the  earth  shall  shake, 
And  those  long  dead  to  life  awake. 

The  grave  cannot  the  soul  enchain , 
It  ne'er  beneath  the  sod  hath  lain. 
When  the  last  sigh  of  life  is  stilled, 
Death  hath  not  conquered  it  nor  killed. 

The  body,  that  God's  temple  is, 
Asleep  in  Jesus  sweetly  lies. 
The  spirit  when  its  house  decays, 
Shall  live  for  aye  to  sing  his  praise. 

Man  is  unto  the  angels  near, 
God's  hand  his  body  fashioned  fair. 
God's  breath  the  soul  awoke  within, 
That  it  might  life  eternal  win. 

With  folded  hands,  in  slumber  deep, 
The  faithful  till  the  judgment  sleep. 
O  may  my  body,  glorified, 
Be  raised  to  stand  by  Jesus'  side. 

When  the  great  day  shall  mount  the  sky, 
Where,  grave,  shall  be  thy  victory  ? 
And  where,  O  death!  shall  be  thy  sting, 
When  through  the  grave  Christ's  call  shall  ring? 


544  BAPTIST  HYMJ^  WRITERS 

GREGOR  SPECK. 

1826  . 


GREaoR  Speck  was  born  in  Ettlingen,  near  Carls- 
ruhe,  Baden,  Germany,  November  17,  1826.  He  was 
brought  up  in  the  Roman  Catholic  faith,  and  was 
educated  in  the  seminary  for  teachers  in  his  native 
place.  Afterward,  until  July,  1849,  he  was  engaged 
in  teaching  in  the  district  of  Gengenbach.  In  1850, 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  shortly  after  his 
arrival  in  New  York  he  took  up  his  residence  in  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.  Here  he  played  the  organ  in  the 
Roman  Catholic  church.  But  coming  under  Protestant 
intluences,  and  having  been  led  by  the  grace  of  God 
to  accept  Jesus  Christ  as  his  Savior,  he  was  baptized 
in  January,  1853,  and  united  with  the  First  German 
Baptist  church  in  New  York.  About  this  time  Mr.  S. 
S.  Constant  opened  a  mission  Sunday-school  in  38th 
Street,  among  the  German  people  there,  and  Mr. 
Speck  was  invited  by  the  First  German  church  to  take 
charge  of  a  German  day  school  in  connection  with 
this  Sunday-school.  He  accepted  the  position,  and  for 
fifteen  years  he  devoted  himself  to  the  interests  of 
this  day  and  Sunday-school.  It  was  a  blessed  work, 
and  a  blessino;  followed  his  earnest  labors. 

Among  the  German  Baptist  churches,  when  he 
entered  upon  this  work,  the  Sunday-school  was  little 
known.  There  were  no  German  Sunday-school  papers 
nor  hymn  books.  Mr.  Speck  opened  a  correspondence 
with  Rev.  P.  Bickel,  then  a  German  Baptist  missionary 
in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  deeply  interested  in  Sunday-school 
work,  who  commenced  the  publication  of  a  Sunday- 
school  paper,  Der  Muntere  Saeman,  which  is  now 
in  all  German  Baptist  Sunday-schools.  He  also 
encouraged  Mr.  Bickel  to  publish  a  Sunday-school 
hymn  book.  The  first  edition  of  "  Das  Singvogelein  " 
contained  only  fifty-two  hymns.     This  collection  has 


BAPTIST  HYMK  WRITERS  545 

been  enlarged  from  time  to  time,  and  the  seventh 
edition,  now  in  use,  has  two  hundred  and  twenty-two 
hymns.  To  this  collection,  Mr.  Speck  contributed  five 
hymns,  all  translations  of  well  known  American  Sun- 
day-school hymns: 

"  Icli  mochte  sein  ein  Engel," 
"  O  lasst  den  Muth  nicht  sinken," 
*'  O  koinmt,  Kinder  kommt," 
"Hosanna!  Hosanna!  Hosannal  " 

and  the  following  translation  of  the  familiar  hymn, 

Before  the  throne  of  God  in  heaven: 

Vor  Gottes  Thron  im  Himmel  steh'u 
Viel  tausend  Kinderlein, 
Sie  sind  befreit  von  Siind'  und  Schuld, 
Ein  heiliger  Verein ; 

Singen  :  Ehre,  Ehre,  Ehre  sei  Gott  in  derHoh'! 

Mit  vpeissen  Kleidern,  hell  und  rein, 
Sind  Alle  ausgeschmiickt. 
Sie  wohnen  in  dem  ew'gen  Licht, 
Und  Alle  hoch  entziickt 
Singen  :  Ehre,  Ehre,  Ehre  sei  Gott  in  der  Hoh'l 

"Was  brachte  sie  in  jenes  Land, 
Den  Himmel  hell  und  klar, 
"Wo  nur  ist  Friede,  Freud'  und  Lieb' 
Und  "Wonne  immerdar  ? 
Singen  :  Ehre,  Ehre,  Ehre  sei  Gott  in  der  Hoh'l 

Weil  Jesus  Christ  am  Kreuz  Sein  Blut 
Vergoss  fiir  ihre  Siind', 
Gewaschen  in  der  reint-n  Fluth, 
Sie  rein  und  weiss  nun  sind ; 
Singen  :  Ehre,  Ehre,  Ehre  sei  Gott  in  der  Hoh'l 

Sie  suchten  hier  schon  Gnade,  Heil 
Bel  Jesu,  Gottes  Sohn; 
Jetzt  sehen  sie  Sein  Angesicht 
Und  steh'n  vor  Gottes  Thron; 

Singen  :  Ehre,  Ehre,  Ehre  sei  Gott  in  der  Hoh'l 

35 


546  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JULIUS  C.  HASELHUHN. 

1829  . 

Julius  C.  Haseliiuiiis^  was  born  in  Altenburg, 
Germany,  May  21,  1829.  He  studied  in  the  Ger- 
man department  of  Rochester  Theological  Seminary 
1854-1856,  and  afterward  in  the  English  department. 
He  was  ordained  in  1858.  His  pastorates  have 
been  as  follows:  Wilmington,  Del.,  185S-1861; 
Newark,  N.  J.,  1861-1868;  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  1868-1872. 
Then  he  served  three  years  as  general  missionary  in 
the  west  for  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Soci- 
ety, which  included  work  as  a  traveling  evangelist. 
He  served  as  pastor  in  Chicago,  111.,  1875-1878. 
When  Dr.  Bickel,  in  1879,  left  his  position  as  head  of 
the  German  Baptist  Publication  Society  in  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  to  take  charge  of  the  German  publication  work 
in  Hamburg,  Germany,  Mr.  Haselhuhn  was  made  his 
successor.  The  Publication  Society  in  Cleveland  pub- 
lishes Der  Sendbote,  an  eight-page  weekly,  of  which 
Mr.  Haselhuhn  is  the  editor,  also  two  Sunday-school 
papers,  a  missionary  paper,  and  books  and  tracts  on 
religious  subjects.  In  this  important  position  Mr. 
Haselhuhn  is  wielding  a  powerful  influence  for  good 
in  connection  with  the  work  of  the  German  Baptists 
througrhout  the  United  States. 

In  the  "  Glaubensharfe  "  Mr.  Haselhuhn  has  three 
hymns, 

"  O  weihe,  weihe,  weihe  heut'," 

"  Wenn  wir  singen,  weun  wir  beten," 

and  the  following : 

Seid  gegriisst  von  Herzensgrunde, 
Briider,  Schwesteni  in  dem  Herrn! 
Alle,  die  ini  Liebesbunde! 
Hier  vereint  von  nah  uud  fern. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  547 

Jesu  Huld  hat  uns  seleitet 
Kecht  wie  Kindlein  an  der  Hand, 
Seine  Liebe  uns  bereitet 
Hier  Ein  Test  im  Mesechsland. 

Stimmt  nun  an  im  Freudenreigen 
Lieder  zu  des  Heilands  Ruhm; 
AUe  Klagen  lasst  jetzt  schweigen, 
Gebt  Euch  Ihni  zum  Eigenthum. 

Lasset  Herz  und  Herz  zusammen 
Eliessen  hier  beim  Liebesmahl, 
Bis  des  Geistes  heil'ge  Flammen 
Ganz  erfiillen  diesen  Saal. 

Lasst  uns  Siindern  froh  bezeugen 
Jesu  Liebe  diese  Xacht, 
Dass  auch  sie  die  Ilerzen  beugen 
Vor  dem  Herrn,  der  selig  macht. 

[Translation  by  Louise  H.  Coburn.] 

Heartily  give  we  our  greeting, 

Brothers,  sisters,  in  the  Lord, 
"Who  in  sweet  communion  meeting, 

Join  about  this  sacred  board. 

Jesus'  grace  hath  gently  led  us, 

As  his  children  by  the  hand; 
Jesus'  bounteous  love  hath  spread  us 

Plenty  in  a  desert  land. 

At  the  joyful  celebration 

We  will  sing  our  Savior's  praise; 
Silent  now  be  lamentation, 

Hearts  devoted  let  us  raise. 

Soul  and  soul  together  flowing. 

Love  and  trust  shall  vanquish  gloom. 
Till  the  Holy  Spirit's  going 

Fills  with  tongues  of  flame  the  room. 

Let  us  happy  witness  render 

Of  Christ's  love  to  sinners  given, 
And  our  hearts,  contrite  and  tender. 

Bow  to  God,  the  King  of  heaven. 


548  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

JOHANN  D.  FEDDERSEN. 

1836  . 

JoiiANX  Dan'iel  Feddersen  was  born  at  Deetzbiill, 
"  Kreis  "  Jondeni,  Duchy  of  Schleswig,  November  3, 
1836.  His  father,  who  was  a  merchant  in  that  place, 
died  early,  and  when  Johann  completed  his  school-life 
he  went  to  Husnm  to  learn  the  bookbinder's  trade. 
It  was  here  that  the  greatest  of  all  changes  in  his  life 
took  place,  for  here  he  gained  a  living  faith  in  the 
Son  of  God.  In  the  spring  of  1853,  Husnm  was  dev- 
astated by  a  fire.  After  this  fire  a  quantity  of  old 
books  were  stored  in  the  garret  where  Johann  slept, 
and  he  spent  his  Sundays  and  leisure  hours  in  looking 
over  these  old  books.  Among  them  he  found  a  copy 
of  David  HoUagen's  "  Evangelische  Gnadenordnung," 
which  impressed  him  because  of  the  stress  the  author 
laid  upon  the  necessity  of  a  new  birth,  together  with 
the  fact  that  through  a  recognition  of  one's  misery  in 
sin,  and  through  the  forgiveness  of  sin  in  Jesus' 
blood,  is  there  obtained  a  consciousness  of  peace  with 
God.  He  resolved  to  make  an  effort  to  obtain  this 
boon,  and  the  Lord  blessed  the  reading  of  that  old 
book  to  his  heart  in  such  a  manner  that  one  evening 
in  June,  1853,  he  could  exclaim  with  unspeakable 
joy,  "  God's  spirit  bears  witness  with  my  spirit  that  I 
am  his  child  and  heir."  He  now  had  peace  with  God, 
and  henceforth  he  has  lived  in  the  blessed  sunshine  of 
his  grace. 

At  the  close  of  his  apprenticeship  he  traveled 
through  a  large  part  of  Germany  and  Denmark,  was 
in  connection  with  many  Christians  of  the  evangel- 
ical Lutheran  faith,  and  at  last  came  in  contact  with 
Baptists  at  Kiel.  Here  the  Lord  opened  his  eyes  to 
the  incurable  evils  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  after 
long  inward  and  outward  struggles  he  resolved  to 
leave  the  church  of  his  fathers,  and  unite  with  the 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  549 

Baptist  church  at  Schleswig.  In  the  sacred  ordinance 
of  baptism,  the  Lord,  in  a  powerful  manner,  put  his 
seal^  to  the  act,  and  a  new  hfe  of  fellowship  with 
Christ,  and  also  with  his  people,  followed. 

In  his  twenty-first  year  he  began  to  express  in 
verse  the  feelings  that  stirred  his  young  heart,  and  a 
series  of  religious  poems  was  the  result.  These  were 
brought  together,  and  published  in  1864,  at  Hamburg, 
with  the  title  "  ZionsHeder."  From  this  collection °I 
take  the  following,  entitled  "  Nur  Ihu  "  —  "  Him 
Only": 

An  meinem  susseu  Gotteslamm, 
Das  eiust  au  deni  verfluchten  Stamm 
Des  Kreuzes  meine  Siinde  trug,. 
Hab  'ich  in  Ewigkeit  genug. 

Nur  Ihn,  nur  Ihn,  unci  sonst  nichts  melirl 
AYenn  Er  niclit  meinu  Zutlucht  Avar\ 
Wenn  ich  nicht  durfte  zu  Ihm  gehn: 
Es  wiire  langst  um  niich  geschehn. 

Seitdem  Er  meine  Missethat 
Und  Siinde  niir  vergeben  hat, 
Seit  dieser  Stunde  will  allein 
Mein  Herz  durch  Ihu  befriedigt  sein. 

Wie  konnte  ich  auch  ohne  Ihn 
Den  schmalen  Weg  nait  Freuden  ziehn  ? 
Von  Ilini  geschieden  lebenslang, 
Das  wiir'  mein  Tod  und  Unter<'-anf'. 

Nun  aber  ist  un^  bleibt  Er  mein, 
Nun  darf  ich  Seines  Bluts  mich  freun, 
Das  hat  mich  frei  und  rein  gemacht, 
Und  auf  den  Weg  des  Heils  gebracht. 

An  meinem  siissen  Goiteslamm, 
Das  einst  an  dem  veriiuchten  Stamm 
Des  Kreuzes  meine  Siinde  trug, 
Hab'  ich  in  Ewigkeit  genug! 


550  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

0  sweet  and  precious  Lamb  of  God, 
Ou  whom  once  fell  the  chastening  rod, 
Who  bore  ray  sins  upon  the  tree, 

1  ever  have  enough  in  thee. 

In  thee,  in  thee,  and  thee  alone! 

If  thou  didst  not  for  me  atone, 

If  I  dared  not  to  go  to  thee, 

All  hope  had  long  since  fled  from  me. 

Since  Christ  my  sins  has  now  forgiven, 
And  made  of  me  an  heir  of  heaven, 
From  this  glad  hour  my  heart  shall  be 
At  peace  with  him  to  whom  I  flee. 

Without  him  how  could  I  each  day 
Tread  joyfully  the  narrow  way  ? 
Apart  from  him  who  gave  me  breath, 
That  were  to  me  destruction,  death. 

But  he  remains  my  lasting  choice, 
And  in  his  blood  I  still  rejoice. 
The  cleansing  blood  that  makes  me  free, 
Which  flowed  on  Calvary  for  me. 

0  sweet  and  precious  Lamb  of  God, 
On  whom  once  fell  the  chastening  rod, 
Who  bore  my  sins  upon  the  tree, 

1  ever  have  enough  in  thee. 

Mr.  Feddersen's  home  is  at  Elmshorn,  in  the  Duchy 
of  Holstein,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church 
there. 


HEINRICH  L.  DIETZ. 

1837  . 

Heinrich  Ludwig  Dietz  was  born  of  Roman 
CathoUc  parents,  July  26,  1837,  at  Rockenberg  (Wet- 
terau),  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany.  In  1860,  he 
came  to  the  United  States.     From  1861,  to  1865,  he 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  551 

was  connected  with  the  German  department  of  Roch- 
ester Theological  Seminary  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  baptized  in  Rochester  by  Rev.  G.  Koopman. 
The  year  1865-6,  he  spent  in  the  English  department 
of  the  seminary.  September  1,  1866,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  German  Baptist  church  in  New  Haven, 
Conn.,  where  he  remained  until  February,  1874. 
Subsequently  he  was  pastor  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  from 
March,  1874,  to  April,  1876;  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
from  May,  1876,  to  October,  1878;  at  Peoria,  111., 
from  October,  1878,  to  October,  1881.  He  then 
entered  upon  his  present  pastorate  in  Milwaukee, 
Wis.  For  four  years  he  was  missionary  secretary  of 
the  Western  German  Baptist  Conference.  He  is 
now  missionary  secretary  of  the  Northwestern  Ger- 
man Baptist  Conference,  and  a  member  of  the  general 
committee  of  the  General  Missionary  Society  of 
German  Baptist  churches  in  North  America. 

Mr.  Dietz  has  been  a  contributor  to  the  religious 
press,  and  is  the  author  of  two  tracts,  "  Beschneidung 
und  Taufe,"  and  "  Taufe  und  Sauglingsbesprengung." 
He  is  also  the  author  of  two  hymns  in  "  Die  Glaubens- 
harfe  "  (546  and  573), 

Gelobt  sei  der  Herr, 

and  the  following  : 

O  HeiT,  wir  bitten  Dich 
In  dieser  Stimd': 
Erhor'  uns  gnadiglich, 
Sei  Rath  und  Mund! 

Chor.  —  Wir  glauben,  o  wir  glauben, 
Herr,  aus  Dich  wir  trauen. 
So  segne  uns,  o  Heiland, 
Wir  bitten  Dich. 

Gieb  uns  den  Heil'  gen  Geist 
Zu  dieseni  Werk, 
Das  Er  uns  Beistand  leist' 
TJnd  Alle  stark'. 


552  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Lass  Fried'  untl  Einigkeit 
Jetzt  walten  liier; 
Mach'  uns  zum  Dienst  bereit 
In  heil'ijer  Zier! 


O  Lord,  we  call  on  thee; 
In  this  hour  hear; 
And  to  us  graciously 
Lend  thou  thine  ear. 

Chokus.  — We  do  believe,  our  Savior, 
In  thee  we  are  trusting; 
O  grant  us  now  a  blessing, 
We  call  on  thee. 

Give  us  thy  Spirit,  Lord, 
In  this  our  need. 
And  help  to  us  afford. 
In  very  deed. 

Let  peace  and  union  dwell 
In  every  heart; 
And  O   prepare  us  well 
To  act  our  part. 


HERMANN  WINDOLF. 

1846  . 

Heemann  Windolf  was  born  at  Gmnenplan,  Duchy 
of  Brunswick,  Germany,  April  28,  1846.  He  was 
converted  when  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  united  Avith 
the  Baptist  church  at  Einbeck,  in  Hanover.  Through 
the  mission  paper  pul^Ushed  at  Hamburg,  and  Der 
Sendbote,  he  became  interested  in  missions,  and  love 
for  his  Master  awakened  in  him  a  desire  to  be  em- 
ployed in  the  work  of  giving  the  gospel  to  the 
heathen.  But  it  pleased  the  Lord,  he  says,  to  keep 
him  in  the  school  of  patience,  and  teach  him  lessons 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  553 

which  would  be  useful  to  him  in  the  work  upon  which 
he  was  to  enter.  His  father  was  a  mason,  and  he 
served  an  npprenticeship  with  him.  He  received 
instruction  also  in  an  institute  of  technology.  In 
1865,  he  attended  the  theological  school  at  Hamburg, 
with  which  at  that  time  Oncken  and  Kcibner  were 
connected.  He  studied  the  Gospel  of  John  under 
Oncken.  Not  less  stimulating  and  faithful,  he  says, 
was  the  instruction  of  Klibner.  Returning  to  his 
trade,  he  devoted  a  part  of  his  time  to  evangelistic 
work.  For  two  years  (1SG7— 18G9)  he  labored  as  a 
missionary  at  Herford,  in  Westphalia.  From  1873,  to 
1877,  he  performed  a  like  service  in  Brunswick.  At 
the  close  of  1877,  he  sailed  with  his  family  for  Queens- 
land, Australia,  where  he  landed  February  20,  1878. 
During  the  remainder  of  that  year  he  served  the  Ger- 
man Baptist  church  at  Fassifern  and  Mount  Walker  as 
pastor.  From  1879,  to  1884,  he  was  pastor  of  the 
German  Baptist  church  at  Marburg  and  Upper  Bris- 
bane River.  On  account  of  impaired  health  he  was 
laid  aside  for  a  year  and  a  half.  Since  1886,  he  has 
been  pastor  of  the  German  Baptist  church  at  Engels- 
burg.  His  ministry  has  been  greatly  blessed  in  the 
conversion  of  souls,  and  four  new  chapels  have  been 
erected  in  connection  with  his  labors. 

His  first  hymn  was  written  when  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age,  during  a  period  of  sickness.  In  all,  he 
has  written  about  two  hundred  hymns,  many  of  which 
have  appeared  in  different  Baptist  papers,  and  some 
of  them  in  collections  of  hymns,  for  example,  "Die 
Glaubensharfe  "  and  "  Die  Zionsklange."  In  1886,  a 
collection  of  his  poems  and  hymns,  entitled  "  Thau- 
tropfen  auf  dem  Pilgerwege,"  was  published  in  Bonn, 
on  the  Rhine.  The  volume  received  the  favorable 
notice  of  Karl  Gerok  and  several  other  well  known 
German  poets.  Gerok  says,  "  It  well  deserves  the 
name  '  Thautropfen,'  since  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ  is 
mirrored  therein  in  manifold  colors,  like   the  sun  in 


554  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

the  pearls  of  the  morning."  Mr.  Winclolf  is  repre- 
sented in  the  "  Glaubensharf e  "  by  three  hymns.  One 
of  these  is  a  transhition  of  Lyte's 

Abide  with  me!     Fast  falls  the  eventide. 

Herr,  bleib'  bei  mir;  denn  scliou  neigt  sich  der  Tag; 

Dem  Dummerscheiu  folgt  tiefes  Duukel  nach; 

Wo  soust  kein  Heifer  ist,  da  bleibe  Du 

Mein  Schutz  und  Schinu,  uud  schenk'  mir  siisse  Ruh'! 

Schnell  schwinden  unsers  Lebens  Stunden  hiu; 
Die  zarte  Blume  bliiht  —  und  ist  dahin; 
Im  flucht'gen  Wechsel  eilt  dahin  die  Zeit; 
Du  nur  bleibst,  der  Du  bist  in  Ewigkeit. 

Verbleib'  bei  mir,  wenn  rosig's  Morgenlicht 
Verkiindet,  dass  der  neue  Tag  aubricht; 
Lass  Deine  Gegenwart  mir  fiihlbar  sein, 
Herr,  bleib'  bei  mir  uud  lass  mich  nicht  allein! 

Ohn'  Deine  Hilfe,  die  die  Nacht  zerstreut. 
Den  Feiud  besiegt,  das  blode  Herz  erfreut, 
Ohn'  Deine  Niihe  bin  ich  ganz  verzagt; 
D'rum  bleib'  bei  mir,  so  wird  der  Kampf  gewagt. 

Du  selber  sagst:  Nichts  kann  ich  ohne  Dich, 
Wle  sehr  ich  harme,  miih'  und  plage  mich; 
Wenn  Du  mir  fehlst,  gelingt  mir  nicht  ein  Schritt, 
D'rum  bleib'  und  gehe  bis  ans  Ende  mit. 

Im  Leidenisbild  sei  Du  mir  iramer  nah', 
Geliebter!  wie  Du  starbst  auf  Golgatha; 
Und,  wenn  mein  Leben  geht  gu  Ende  hier, 
Dann  bleib'  bei  mir  und  hole  mich  zu  Dir! 

In  "Die   Zionsklange "    Mr.   Windolf  has  fourteen 
hymns,  although  four  are  not  credited  to  him. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  555 

JULIUS  C.  GRIMMELL. 

1847  . 

Julius  Chakles  Grimmell  was  born  in  Marburg, 
Hesse-Cassel,  Germany,  May  30,  1847.  From  1863, 
to  1866,  he  pursued  theological  studies  at  the  Roches- 
ter Theological  Seminary,  and  again  in  1867,  1868, 
spending  a  year  at  the  University  in  Lewisburgh, 
Penn.,  between  these  dates.  He  was  ordained  January 
29,  1868.  His  first  pastorate  was  Avith  the  First  Ger- 
man Baptist  church  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
remained  six  years.  He  then  became  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Brookl^'n,  east  district,  which 
he  still  serves.  Mr.  Grimmell  has  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  work  among  the  Germans  in  the  United 
States.  For  several  years  he  has  been  the  general 
secretary  for  the  German  Baptist  Home  Mission  work, 
and  not  long  ago,  in  the  interest  of  the  Home  Mission 
Society,  he  spent  a  year  in  visiting  various  portions 
of  the  country  and  in  inspecting  the  field  with  a  view 
to  the  enlary^ement  of  German  mission  work.  In  this 
and  other  ways  he  has  done  a  most  valuable  work  in 
advancinor  the  kina:dom  of  God. 

Mr.  Grimmell  has  puljlished  a  small  collection  of 
German  hymns  for  prayer-meeting  use,  entitled  "  Die 
Werkstimme."  In  "Die  Glaubensharfe "  he  has 
three  hymns.  One  of  these  (459)  is  a  translation 
of  the  hymn 

My  hope  is  built  on  nothing  less. 
Another  (600)  is  a  translation  of  Fawcett's  hymn, 
Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds. 

The  following  (308)  is  a  translation  of  the  well 
known  hymn  (Gospel  Hymns,  246)  "Why  not 
To-night": 

O  lass  den  Geist  nicht  von  dir  flieh'n, 
Schau'  nicht  zuriick  zur  Eitelkeit. 


556  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Du  weisst,  du  musst  zum  Heilaud  flieh'n, 
Wann  willst  du's  thuu  ?     AVavum  niclit  heut'  ? 

Chor.  :||  :  Warum  niclit  heut  ?     Waruiii  niclit  lieut'  ? 

"Waun  willst  du's  thun  ?    Warum  uicht  heut  ?: 

Wer  weiss,  wie  bald  dein  Leben  schliesst! 

O,  eile  doch  bei  guter  Zeit 

Zum  Brunn,  da  ew'ges  Leben  fliesst. 

"Waun  willst  du's  thun  ?     Warum  nicht  heut  ? 

Chor.  —  Warum  uicht  heut  ? 

Was  beut  die  Welt  fiir  Freude  dir? 

Ihr  Spielwerk  ist  Verganglichkeit. 

Gott  spricht :    Dring  durch  die  offne  Thiir, 

Wann  willst  du's  thun?     Warum  nicht  heut'  ? 

Chor.  — Warum  nicht  heut'  ? 

Der  Heiland  nimmt  die  Sunder  an, 
Er  fiihi't  audi  dicli  zur  Seligkeit. 
Dich  zieht's  auf  Seine  schmale  Balm, 
Wann  folgest  du  ?     Warum  nicht  heut'  ? 

Chor.  —  Warum  nicht  heut'  ? 


WALTHER  RAUSCHENBUSCH. 

1861  . 

Walther  Rauschenbusch,  son  of  Dr.  A.  Rausch- 
enbusch,  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  October  4, 
1861.  In  1865,  his  mother,  with  her  three  children, 
went  to  Germany  for  a  year's  sojourn.  At  the 
end  of  the  year,  Professor  Rauschenbusch  expected 
to  join  his  family  for  a  brief  rest  in  the  Fatherland. 
But  he  was  delayed  until  1868.  These  three  years, 
Mrs.  Rauschenbusch,  with  her  children,  spent  in 
Neuwied  on  the  Rhine,  and  at  Barmen.  A  part  of 
the  year  1868-9,  was  devoted  to  travel.  After  the 
return  of  the  family  to  Rochester  in  1869,  Walther, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  557 

who  at  the  time  was  familiar  with  the  German  lan- 
guage only,  attended  English  and  German  schools 
alternately  until  1877.  Then  he  entered  the  Roch- 
ester Free  Academy,  and  began  the  study  of  the 
classics,  graduating  in  1879.  After  his  graduation, 
instead  of  entering  college  he  went  to  Germany,  where 
he  was  admitted  to  Unter  Secunda,  in  the  gymnasium 
at  Giitersloh,  Westphalia,  a  Christian  institution  of 
high  rank.  Here  he  remained  three  years  and  a  half, 
completing  the  course  in  the  usual  time.  During  the 
last  two  years  he  led  his  class,  and  was  graduated  in 
March,  1883.  For  six  months  he  traveled  in  Ger- 
many and  England.  Returning  then  to  Rochester,  he 
entered  Rochester  Theological  Seminary  in  September. 
He  also  took  a  partial  course  in  Rochester  University, 
and  received  the  degree  of  b.a.  in  1885.  From  the 
Seminary  he  was  graduated  in  1886.  Before  gradua- 
ting, he  had  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Second  German  Baptist  church  in  New  York.  Here 
he  remains,  abundant  in  labors,  and  fulfilling  his  min- 
istry with  large  success  and  growing  influence. 

While  in  Germany  Mr.  Rauschenbusch  became 
intensely  interested  in  literary  studies.  In  poetry, 
especially,  he  took  delight,  and  read  the  best  authors 
in  different  languages.  He  gave  expression  also  to 
his  own  thoughts  in  verse,  and  some  of  his  produc- 
tions were  printed.  His  free  translation  of  Dr.  S. 
F.  Smith's 

My  country,  't  is  of  thee, 

given  below,  is  number  685  in  "  Die  Glaubensharfe  ": 

Dir  sing'  ich,  Vaterland, 

Der  Freiheit  Heimathland, 

Amerika! 

Zu  der  Verfolgten  Port, 

Der  Unterdriickten  Hort, 

Zur  Wohnstatt  fiir  Sein  Wort 

Gott  dich  ersah. 


558  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Land  frcier  Miinnei"  du, 

Froh  jauchzt  niein  Herz  dir  zu, 

TVie  bist  du  hehr! 

Hoch  deinc  Berge  steh'n, 

Stolz  deine  Strorae  geh'n, 

Frei  deine  Banner  weh^n. 

Von  Meer  zu  Meer. 

Singt,  Briider,  bis  das  Lied 

Brausend  gen  Himmel  zieht 

Mit  macht'geni  Drang; 

Ihr  Menschen,  kommt  zu  Hauf, 

Ihr  Felsen,  wachet  auf, 

Ihr  Strome,  lauscht  ini  Lauf 

Dem  Freiheitssang. 

Urquell  der  Freiheit,  Gott, 

Jehovah  Zebaoth, 

Halt'  Du  sie  rein! 

Lass  nicht  der  Siinde  Macht, 

Hiillen  ihr  Licht  in  Nacht, 

Halt'  selber  fur  uns  Wacht, 

Konig  allein! 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  659 


SWEDISH  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS. 


The  quickening  of  spiritual  life  during  the  last  half 
century  in  Sweden,  with  which  Baptists  have  been  so 
prominently  identified,  has  manifested  itself  in  the 
praise-songs  of  God's  people.  New  psalms,  to  tunes 
not  heard  before,  have  borne  to  God  the  worship  of 
his  saints.  Fully  as  often,  however,  the  divine  Spirit 
has  infused  itself  into  the  old  hymns,  sublime  in 
poetry  and  grand  in  music,  contained  in  the  hymn 
book  of  the  Established  Church.  From  the  ditties  of 
the  day  the  pious  Swede  will  evermore  return  to  the 
inspiring  anthems  of  Spegel,  Franzen  and  Wallin. 

The  new  hymns  have  come  from  various  sources. 
In  the  beginning  of  the  Baptist  movement,  about 
1850,  hymns  w^ritten  by  Lutheran  clergymen  in  Fin- 
land, showing  a  marked  Moravian  tendency,  were 
very  generally  sung  by  the  "Pietists"  of  Sweden.  A 
free,  evangelical  spirit  was  evinced  in  the  religious 
songs  of  the  Countess  von  Posse  and  Mrs.  C.  0.  Bergh, 
two  highly  gifted  Lutheran  ladies.  Their  hymns 
were  incorporated  by  Mr.  P.  Palmquist,  a  Baptist  pub- 
lisher, in  a  collection  entitled  "  Hymns  for  the  Sun- 
day-school," and  also  in  "  The  Songs  of  the  Pilgrims." 
The  first  edition  of  this  latter  book  was  published  in 
1859,  and  a  second  and  considerably  enlarged  edition 
in  1862.  About  four  hundred  thousand  copies  of  this 
hynm  book  have  been  sold,  and  new  editions  are  con- 
tinually appearing.  Some  of  the  hymns  in  this  col- 
lection were  written  by  Baptists. 

The  first  Baptist  hymn-writer  in  Sweden  Avas  Rev. 
Gustavus  Palmquist.     The  mother  of  this  pioneer  in 


560  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

Baptist  work  was  led  to  Christ  by  the  admonition  of 
her  youngest  boy  crying  to  her  on  his  death-bed, 
"  Read,  mother  !  Sing,  mother  !  "  Born  in  Pilabo, 
Sweden,  May  26,  1812,  and  converted  at  the  age  of 
thirty-two,  Mr.  Pahnquist,  while  on  a  visit  to  the 
United  States,  was  baptized  at  Galesburgh,  111.,  and 
there  he  was  ordained,  July  27,  following.  Both  in 
the  United  States,  and  in  Sweden  after  his  return,  he 
proved  himself  a  powerful  preacher.  When  he  estab- 
lished the  first  Baptist  theological  school  in  Sweden, 
in  1857,  he  was  found  to  be  a  very  acceptable  teacher. 
His  contributions  to  the  "  Songs  of  the  Pilgrims " 
were  mostly  translations  from  familiar  English  hymns, 
but  not  a  few  were  originals.  Many  a  soul  has  been 
led  heavenward  in  aspiration,  and  has  had  spiritual 
affections  rekindled  by  words  like  these : 

Had  I  the  wings  of  a  clove  I  would  fly 

Far,  far  away,  far  away, 
Where  sin  and  death  cannot  reach  me  on  high, 

Far,  far  away,  far  away; 
Up  to  that  land  where  the  sun  nevermore 
Hides  in  the  clouds  on  eternity's  shore. 
But  all  its  hrightness  forever  doth  pour, 

Far,  far  away,  far  away. 

Mr.  Pahnquist  died  in  Sweden,  September  18,  1867. 
His  last  words,  repeated  in  English,  were,  "  The  pre- 
cious blood  of  Christ." 

In  the  midst  of  the  most  exacting  duties,  at  the 
head  of  a  large  business  firm,  Mr.  Peter  Pahnquist,  a 
younger  brother  of  Rev.  G.  Palmquist  (born  in  1815, 
died  1887),  found  time  to  write  some  hymns  char- 
acterized by  his  firm  faith  and  great  intellectual 
strength. 

Rev.  T.  Truve,  pastor  of  the  Gottenburg  Taberna- 
cle, has  translated  a  collection  of  Sunday-school  songs 
that  has  been  published  by  the  Oerebro  Sunday  School 
Union.     This  collection  has  had  a  wide  circulation. 

In  1881,  Rev.  J.  Stadling  submitted  to  the  Trien- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  561 

nial  Conference  a  collection  of  five  hundred  and  fifty 
hymns,  entitled  "  The  Psalniist."  It  was  compiled  for 
the  most  part  from  existing  collections,  viz.,  the  ''  Lu- 
theran Hymn  Book,"  the  "  Songs  of  the  Pilgrims,"  etc. 
But  it  contained  quite  a  number  of  new  versions  of 
hymns  previously  translated,  some  new  translations, 
and  a  few  originals.  It  is  a  valuable  work,  and  con- 
tains excellent  music. 

The  Swedish  Baptist  churches  in  the  United  States 
use  for  the  most  part  "  The  Psalmist,"  or  "  The  Songs 
of  the  Pilgrims."  In  Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul  they 
use  hymns  newly  translated,  printed  on  slips,  and  dis- 
tributed every  month.  A  collection  of  hymns  has 
been  published  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Eckman,  of  Stroms- 
burg,  Nebraska.  Another  collection  has  been  pub- 
lished by  Rev.  Frank  Peterson,  of  Minneapolis,  Minn. 
Neither  of  these  collections,  however,  has  been  widely 
circulated. 

36 


562  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

DANISH  AND  NORWEGIAN  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS. 


Rev.  J.  KoBifER,  who  has  been  mentioned  in  connec- 
tion with  German  Baptist  hymn  writers  and  their 
hymns,  was  a  Dane  by  birth,  and  though  he  labored 
chiefly  in  Germany,  yet  he  did  a  most  enduring  work 
in  his  native  land,  being  the  founder  of  the  Danish 
Baptist  mission  in  1839,  and  serving  twelve  3^ears  as 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Copenhagen.  To  the 
Danish  Baptist  churches  he  gave  a  hymn  book 
("  Troesstemmen")  similar  to  the  one  which  he  pre- 
pared for  the  German  Baptist  churches.  In  it  are 
many  of  his  own  hymns,  among  them  not  a  few  of  a 
superior  order.  By  the  Baptists  of  Denmark  his 
hymns  are  preferred  above  all  others. 

Another  Danish  hymn-writer.  Rev.  Niels  Nielson, 
was  born  in  Denmark  in  1809.  He  became  a  Baptist 
in  1840,  was  soon  after  ordained  as  a  Baptist  minister 
by  Oncken  and  Kobner,  and  was  for  many  3'ears  a 
leader  of  the  Baptist  cause  in  Denmark.  For  some 
time  he  was  compelled  to  endure  much  persecution,  but 
through  his  efforts  at  length  liberty  of  conscience  was  ' 
secured  in  Denmark.  He  compiled  the  first  hymn 
book  prepared  for  Danish  Baj^tists  by  one  of  their 
number.  It  was  published  in  1854,  and  contained 
one  hundred  and  eighty-two  hymns.  Considering  the 
circumstnnces  under  which  it  was  published,  this  was 
an  excellent  book,  and  a  great  blessing  to  the  Danish 
Baptist  churches.  Most  of  the  hymns  were  taken 
from  earlier  Danish  hymn  books,  but  the  collection 
included  some  translations  by  Nielson  from  the  Ger- 


AND  TPIEIR  HYMNS.  563 

man ;  also  a  few  originals,  the  two  (8  and  185)  best 
of  which  are  included  in  the  Baptist  Danish  hymn 
book  published  in  this  country  in  1887,  entitled 
"  Salme-og  Sangbog."  In  1859,  Nielson's  hymn  book 
was  re-published  in  an  enlarged  form,  and  included 
many  Swedish  hymns  translated  by  himself.  About 
twenty  years  ago  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and 
was  pastor  of  the  Danish  Baptist  church  in  Chicago. 
Subsequently  he  removed  to  Kansas,  where  he  con- 
tinued his  pastoral  labors.  Here  he  closed  a  useful 
and  honored  life  in  1887. 

Rev.  S.  Hansen",  one  of  the  oldest  Baptist  pastors 
in  Denmark  has  composed  nearly  one  hundred  hymns 
and  spiritual  songs,  some  of  which  are  of  considerable 
merit,  and  are  found  in  Kobner's  "  Troesstemmen," 
and  also  in  the  Danish  hymn  book,  "  Salme-og 
Sangbog,"  published  in  Chicago  in  1887.  As  he  has 
taken  a  very  active  part  in  inculcating  Baptist  princi- 
ples in  Denmark,  he  has  incurred  the  bitter  hatred  of 
the  clergy  of  the  Lutheran  state  church.  In  1868,  he 
published  a  poem,  in  which  he  set  forth  with  some 
severity  the  evils  of  that  church  and  its  priesthood. 
For  this  he  suffered  persecution,  and  finally  was  im- 
prisoned three  months.  Of  its  kind  this  poem  was  a 
master-piece.  He  has  now  in  manuscript  a  complete 
"History  of  the  Baptists  of  Denmark,"  which  will  be 
published  in  1889,  when  occurs  the  fiftieth  anniver- 
sary of  the  establishment  of  Baptist  mission  work  in 
Denmark. 

Rev.  Peter  Sorensen,  a  native  of  Denmark,  and 
now  nearly  eighty  years  of  age,  residing  in  Wisconsin, 
has  published  a  hymn  book  containing  about  three 
hundred  hymns,  all  of  his  own  composition.  For 
awhile  this  book  was  used  by  some  of  the  Baptist 
churches  in  Denmark,  but  as  the  author  is  of  a  some- 
what mystical  turn  of  mind,  and  as  most  of  the  hymns 


564  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

are  nothing:  bnt  relig-ious  rlivmino;,  the  book  has  not 
come  into  general  use.  On  account  of  the  deep  spir- 
itual character  of  these  hymns,  however,  some  of 
them  have  been  included  in  later  Danish  collections. 
In  his  earlier  ministerial  life  Mr.  Sorensen  did  much 
in  spreading  Baptist  principles  in  Norway. 

Rev.  N.  Larsex  is  a  leading  preacher  among  the 
Baptists  of  Denmark.  He  has  been  the  editor  of  the 
Baptist  pajDcr  in  Denmark  since  its  establishment,  in 
1856.  In  this  paper,  the  Evangelisten,  many  excel- 
lent hymns  from  Mr.  Larsen's  pen  have  appeared, 
and,  prominent  among  them,  hymns  for  the  different 
seasons  of  the  year.  Some  of  these  hymns  have 
found  their  way  into  the  '^  Troesstemmen,"  ''  Salme- 
og  Sangbog,"  and  other  collections. 

Rev.  M.  Larsen,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Copenhagen,  has  written  some  excellent  hymns,  and 
translated  a  few  from  the  German,  Assisted  by  Rev. 
S.  Hansen,  he  has  compiled  a  most  excellent  singing- 
book  for  the  use  of  the  Baptist  Sunday-schools  in 
Denmark. 

Rev.  J.  S.  LuxN,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Bath,  Minn.,  came  from  Denmark  to  the  United 
States  when  a  boy.  He  is  now  one  of  the  foremost 
preachers  in  the  Danish-Norwegian  churches  in  this 
country.  A  few  excellent  hymns  are  from  his  pen, 
and  he  was  one  of  the  committee  that  prepared  the 
new  Danish  Baptist  hymn  book,  "Salme-og  Sangbog." 

Rev.  H.  a.  Reicheistbach,  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  also  came  to  this  coun- 
try in  early  life.  With  excellent  gifts  as  a  preacher 
and  an  organizer,  he  has  labored  among  the  Scandina- 
vian Baptist  churches  in  the  west  for  nearly  a  quarter 
of  a  century.  He  has  assisted  in  compiling  two  hymn 
books  for  general  use  in  this  country.  The  first  was 
the  "  Missions-Harpen,"  published  in  Chicago  in  1873, 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  565 

and  the  second  the  "  Sahne-og  Sangbog."  He  has 
also  compiled  and  published  a  small  Sunday-school 
hymn  book,  "  Den  syngende  Evangelist,"  consisting 
for  the  most  part  of  translations  of  "Gospel  Hymns," 
found  here  and  there  in  Scandinavian  papers.  He  is 
also  the  author  of  a  few  original  hymns. 

The  "Salme-og  Sangbog"  is  worthy  of  added  men- 
tion. It  was  published  in  Chicago,  111.,  in  1887,  and 
is  the  work  of  a  committee  appointed  in  1885,  by  the 
Scandinavian  General  Baptist  Conference.  Of  this 
committee.  Prof.  N.  P.  Jensen,  of  the  Scandinavian 
department  in  the  Baptist  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  Morgan  Park,  111.,  was  chairman,  and  with 
him  were  associated  Rev.  H.  A.  Reichenbach,  Rev.  0. 
C.  Jensen,  Rev.  E.  L.  Myrland,  Rev.  J.  S.  Lunn,  Rev. 
L.  Knudsen,  and  Rev.  C.  Carlsen.  The  committee 
appointed  Rev.  H.  A.  Reichenbach,  who  had  already 
had  considerable  experience  in  selecting  and  translat- 
ing hymns  and  sacred  songs,  to  collect  and  classify 
hymns  for  the  new  book.  He  commenced  his  work 
by  extending  a  general  invitation  to  all  Danish  and 
Norwegian  Baptists  in  the  country  to  suggest  favorite 
hymns  for  the  book.  By  the  assistance  of  Rev.  A. 
Broholm,  then  a  student  at  Morgan  Park,  a  selection 
was  made  from  this  large  collection,  and  the  hymns 
and  songs  classified  imder  appropriate  heads.  The 
selection  was  afterward  carefully  examined,  revised, 
and  approved  by  the  committee.  The  "Salme-og 
Sangbog"  contains  six  hundred  and  forty-five  hymns, 
with  music,  and  is  a  collection  of  great  merit.  The 
hymns  are  arranged  according  to  subjects,  and  the 
names  of  the  authors  are  given  in  the  order  of  first 
lines.  In  this  collection  Prof.  Jensen  has  four  h^anns. 
Prof.  Jensen  is  a  graduate  of  the  Scandinavian  de- 
partment of  the  Baptist  Union  Theological  Seminary, 
and  he  has  done  a  most  excellent  service  among  his 
countrymen  in  the  United  States,  not  only  as  an  in- 


566  BAPTIST  HYJVm  WRITERS 

structor  of  theological  students,  but  as  a  translator, 
publisher,  editor,  and  pastor. 

As  it  is  not  more  than  twenty  years  since  the  estab- 
lishment of  Baptist  mission  work  in  Norway,  there  is 
not  as  yet  much  that  can  be  said  concerning  Norwe- 
gian Baptist  hymn  writers.  Mrs.  Sjodahl,  the  wife  of 
a  Baptist  minister,  has  written  a  few  hymns,  which 
the  Baptists  in  Norway  love  to  sing,  and  some  of 
them  have  found  their  way  into  a  book  compiled  by 
a  committee  of  the  Norwegian  Conference.  Rev.  P. 
Helbrostad,  also,  has  written  a  few  excellent  hymns, 
one  of  which  (number  366)  is  found  in  the  "Salme- 
og  Sangbog."  Mr.  Helbrostad  assisted  in  compiling 
the  Norwegian  Baptist  hymn  book.  He  has  also  pub- 
lished a  most  excellent  Sunday-school  hymn  book, 
which  is  used  in  Baptist  Sunday-schools  in  Norway, 
and  also  by  some  Norwegian  Baptist  Sunday-schools 
in  this  country.  He  is  the  editor  of  the  Norwegian 
Baptist  paper,  and  is  most  highly  esteemed  for  his 
excellent  Christian  spirit,  and  his  great  ability  as  a 
preacher  and  leader  of  the  Baptist  churches  in  Nor- 
way. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  567 


FRENCH  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS. 


The  Baptists  in  France  have  as  yet  no  hymn  book 
of  their  own.  Nearly  all  of  them  use  the  "  Chants 
Chretiens "  in  common  with  other  independent 
churches  of  that  country,  the  hymns  of  the  McAll 
Mission,  together  with  half  a  dozen  hymns  on  baptism, 
adapted  from  English  baptismal  hymns.  In  fact,  in  all 
of  the  Protestant  churches  in  France,  but  little  atten- 
tion until  recently  has  been  paid  to  the  service  of 
song  in  the  house  of  the  Lord.  The  selection  in  use 
in  the  National  Reformed  churches  is  composed  of 
Psalms  in  verse  and  of  some  "Cantiques"  taken  from 
"  Chants  Chretiens,"  and  contains  about  two  hundred 
hymns  in  all.  In  most  of  the  Independent  churches 
in  the  south  of  France,  the  hymn  book  in  use  is  the 
"  Recueil  de  Cantiques  de  Geneve  et  Lyon,"  which 
contains  about  two  hundred  hymns,  most  of  which 
were  borrowed  from  the  "  Chnnts  Chretiens." 

In  recent  years  the  McAll  Mission  in  Paris  has  made 
much  use  of  Christian  song  in  its  evangelistic  services, 
and  its  ''Cantiques  Populaires "  is  now  extensively 
used  in  all  of  the  Protestant  churches  througrhout 
France.  This  collection  contains  two  hundred  and 
forty-three  hymns,  some  of  which  are  from  the 
"Chants  Chretiens,"  "Cantiques  du  Reveil,"  "Psaumes 
et  Cantiques,"  but  a  large  number,  about  seventy, 
many  of  them  translations  of  familiar  English  and 
American  hymns,  were  w^ritten  by  Ruben  Saillens, 
who  since  1873,  has  been  the  assistant  of  Rev.  R.  W. 
McAll  in  his  mission  work  in  Paris.  At  the  present 
time  (1888),  Mr.  Saillens  is  in  charge  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Paris,  though  still  connected  with  the 
McAll  Mission. 


568  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Mr.  Saillens  was  born  June  24,  1855,  at  St.  Jean-du- 
Garcl,  in  the  Cevennes,  the  niountam  district  made 
famous  by  resistance  of  the  Huguenots  to  Louis  XIV. 
Even  now  the  Cevennes  abound  in  Huguenots.  Of 
the  four  thousand  inhabitants  in  St.  Jean-du-Gard, 
three  thousand  nine  hundred  are  Protestants.  In 
this  place  about  forty  years  ago  a  free  church  was 
organized,  the  members  of  which  held  Baptist  views. 
Mr.  Saillens'  father,  who  was  one  of  these,  removed  to 
Marseilles,  then  to  Lyons,  where  he  labored  as  an 
evangelist.  In  1871,  at  Lyons,  the  son  was  converted, 
and  in  May  of  the  following  year  he  was  bap- 
tized by  his  father.  He  then  went  to  London,  and 
entered  Mr.  H.  Grattan  Guinness'  Training  Institute 
for  Home  and  Foreign  Missions.  There  he  remained 
one  year,  and  at  Christmas,  1873,  he  crossed  over  to 
Paris  to  engage  in  evangelistic  work  with  Mr.  McAU, 
who  was  then  laying  the  foundations  of  his  now  well 
known  mission.  In  entering  upon  tliis  work  they 
could  avail  themselves  of  only  a  few  gospel  hymns, 
and  these  were  not  very  well  adapted  to  the  work. 
Mr.  Saillens  accordingly  undertook  to  meet  this 
deficiency,  and  since  that  time  he  has  written  a  large 
number  of  hymns,  many  of  which  are  now  very 
familiar  in  Protestant  churches  in  France,  Switzerland 
and  other  French-speaking  communities.  He  has 
also  written  and  published  a  large  number  of  poems 
and  tracts.  It  is  his  j)i^iil)ose,  in  connection  with  our 
Baptist  work  in  Paris,  to  prepare  a  hymn  book  for  use 
in  the  Baptist  churches  of  France.  Mr.  Saillens,  in 
1877,  married  the  fourth  daughter  of  Rev.  J.  B. 
Cretin,  tlie  oldest  Baptist  pastor  in  France,  and  the 
author  of  a  series  of  tracts  and  l^ooks  which  have 
done  much  to  advance  Baptist  interests  in  France. 

The  following  hymn,  136  in  "Cantiques  Populaires," 
is  a  translation  of  Prof.  J.  H.  Gilmore's  well  known 
hymn  "  He  leadeth  me  :" 

II  me  conduit,  douce  penseel 
Kepos  h  mou  ame  lassee ! 


AI^D  THEIR  HYMNS.  569 

En  tous  lieuz  son  regard  me  suit, 
Et  par  la  main  11  me  conduit. 

Chceue.  — II  me  conduit,  11  me  conduit! 

De'sormais  pour  lui  je  veux  vivre; 
Brebis  fldele,  je  veux  suivre 
Le  bon  Berger  qui  me  conduit. 

Jesus  sur  moi  veille  sans  cesser 
Dans  la  joie  et  dans  la  tristesse, 
Dans  le  jour  comme  dans  la  unit, 
Pas  k  pas  sa  main  me  conduit. 

Comme  un  rempart  11  me  protege, 
II  me  preserve  de  tout  pie'ge; 
Loin  de  moi  I'ennemi  s'enfuit, 
Quand  par  la  main  Christ  me  conduit. 

Quand  mon  heure  sera  sonnee, 
Mon  (X'uvre  ici-bas  terminee 
Je  dirai,  dans  la  sombre  nuit: 
Je  ne  crains  point,  il  me  conduit! 

The  French  Baptists  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic, 
like  the  Baptists  in  France,  have  no  hymn  book  of 
their  own.  The  oldest  hymn  book  used  in  the  French 
Baptist  churches  in  Canada,  which  1  have  seen,  is 
the  "  Recueil  de  Cantiques  Chretiens  a  L'Usage  des 
Eglises  du  Canada,"  which  was  compiled  by  "  un  pas- 
teur  de  la  Mission  de  la  Grande  Ligne,"  and  published 
in  1851.  Rev.  A.  L.  Therrien  informs  me  that  this 
pastor  of  the  Grand  Ligne  Mission  is  "  our  much 
loved  and  venerable  brother  Normandeau,  an  ex- 
priest,  converted  at  Grande  Ligne  forty-five  years  ago, 
and  who  still  (1886)  preaches  the  gospel  at  the  age  of 
seventy-four."  In  the  preface  the  compiler  says  that 
he  has  endeavored  to  make  a  selection  Avhich  will 
meet  the  demands  of  each  Christian  denomination. 
He  includes,  accordingly,  hymns  suitable  for  the 
baptism  of  adults,  seven  in  number,  and  also  two 
hymns  to  be  used  at  the  consecration  of  infants. 
The  first  stanza  of  hymn  38  is  as  follows : 

Du  salut  quel  est  le  mj'-sterel 
Un  Dieu  vient  se  donner  h  moi. 


570  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Quel  avenement  salutaire! 

II  rend  tout  facile  h  ma  foi. 

II  m  'admiuistre  uii  saiut  bapteme, 

II  me  plouge  daus  le  Jourdaiu: 

Moil  coeur,  iiiou  esprit,  ma  chair  meme. 

Tout  est  gueri,  calme  et  serein. 

The  hymn  book  now  in  nse  in  all  the  French  Prot- 
estant chnrches  in  Canada  and  the  United  States,  in- 
cluding the  French  Baptist  churches,  is  entitled 
"  Chants  Evangeliques  pour  le  Culte  Public  et  I'Edi- 
fication  Particuliere  avec  Musique  a  Quatre  Parties." 
It  contains  hymns  by  Felix  Nelt,  B.  Pictet,  C.  Malan, 
A.  Vinet,  A.  Monod,  Merle  D'  Aubigne,  and  other 
writers  of  less  note.  In  the  supplement  are  seventeen 
added  "  Chants  Evangeliques." 

There  would  be  a  gain  to  our  French  Baptist 
brethren  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic  if,  with  like 
wants,  they  could  unite  in  the  preparation  of  a  hymn 
book  adapted  to  these  wants.  A  tie  would  thus  be 
formed,  which  could  not  but  be  helpful  to  them  in 
their  widely  separated  fields  of  labor. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  571 

WELSH   BAPTIST   HYMN  WRITERS 

AND    THEIR    HYMNS. 


Among  the  earlier  Welsh  Baptist  hymn  writers  was 
Rev.  Benjamin  Francis,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church 
at  Horsley-down,  England,  and  well  known  as  a  writer 
of  English  hymns.  He  was  born  in  Wales  in  1734, 
and,  retaining  the  use  of  his  native  tongue,  he  often 
returned  to  the  scenes  of  his  childhood,  and  preached 
to  his  countrymen,  and  composed  hymns  for  their  use 
in  their  religious  meetings. 

Rev.  David  Saunders,  of  Merthyr  Tyfdil,  South 
Wales,  was  also  a  prolific  hymn  writer.  His  hymns, 
like  those  of  Mr.  Francis,  were  mostly  doctrinal, 
although  by  no  means  destitute  of  tenderness. 

Rev.  Joseph  Harris  (Gomer),  of  Swansea,  South 
Wales,  published  a  collection  of  hymns  in  1821.  For 
many  years  this  was  a  favorite  book  with  the  Welsh 
Baptists.  In  it  were  a  large  number  of  hymns  by  the 
celebrated  Christmas  Evans,  the  apostle  of  Wales ; 
also  by  Rev.  Morgan  John  Rees,  who  emigrated  to 
this  country  from  Wales  about  the  year  1800,  the 
father  of  Morgan  John  Rees,  who  died  not  long  ago 
in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Harris  was  the  author  of 
many  hymns,  and  his  book  is  still  in  use  in  Baptist 
churches  in  Wales. 

Rev.  John  R.  Jones,  of  Ramoth,  North  Wales, 
published  a  valuable  collection  of  hymns,  including 
many  of  his  own  compositions,  also  hymns  by  Robert 
ap  Gwilym  Ddu  and  Dewi  Wyn  Eifion. 


572  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Eev.  Daniel  Jones,  for  many  years  pastor  of  the 
Welsh  Baptist  church  in  Liverpool,  England,  published 
a  collection  of  hymns  for  use  in  his  own  church,  and 
in  the  Baptist  churches  of  Wales.  He  was  a  hymn 
writer  of  considerable  note. 

Rev.  Robert  Jones,  of  Llanllyfui,  North  Wales, 
also  published  a  collection  of  hymns  in  the  Welsh 
language. 

In  1838,  Rev.  William  H.  Thomas  published  in 
Utica,  N.  Y.,  an  American  edition  of  Rev.  Joseph  Har- 
ris' collection  of  hymns,  for  use  in  the  Welsh  Baptist 
churches  in  the  United  States.  Later  the  three  Welsh 
Baptist  Associations  appointed  Rev.  John  P.  Harris, 
then  of  Minersville,  Penn.,  now  of  Nanticoke,  Penn., 
to  bring  out  a  new  and  revised  edition  of  this  book. 
This  edition  was  published  at  Pottsville,  Penn.,  in  1857, 
by  Richard  Edwards,  and  was  adopted  by  the  Welsh 
Baptist  churches.  It  contained  one  thousand  and 
fifty-two  hymns.  Many  of  the  hymns  in  Mr.  Thomas' 
book  were  omitted.  Others  were  added,  among  them 
the  best  old  hymns  in  the  language ;  and  there  was 
added  an  appendix  containing  about  fifty  hymns, 
composed  by  Mr.  Harris  for  use  on  Independence 
Day,  at  anti-slavery  gatherings,  temperance  meetings, 
etc.  Mr.  Harris  was  born  in  Pembrokeshire,  South 
Wales,  January  27,  1820.  He  was  converted  in  his 
sixteenth  year,  and  soon  after  was  invited  by  the 
church  to  exercise  his  gifts  in  preaching.  In  1842, 
he  was  graduated  at  the  Baptist  college  in  Haverford- 
west. Soon  after  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  in 
1843,  at  the  Second  (Welsh)  Baptist  church  in  Rem- 
sen,  N.  Y.  He  labored  among  his  countrymen  in  the 
anthracite  coal  regions,  in  farming  districts,  and  in 
some  city  churches,  preaching  in  the  Welsh  language 
until  1882.  Since  that  time  he  has  preached  in  Eng- 
lish, and  has  built  up  a  very  promising  church  in  Nan- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  573 

ticoke.  During  his  ministry  he  has  baptized  about 
seven  hundred  converts.  He  has  given,  since  his 
arrival  in  this  country,  considerable  attention  to  liter- 
ary work,  and  has  published  several  Avorks  for  Welsh 
Baptists ;  also  a  monthly  magazine  called  the  West- 
ern Star,  of  which  he  was  editor  seven  years. 

The  book  compiled  by  Mr.  Harris  has  been  out  of 
print  for  some  time,  and  a  hymn  book  prepared  by 
Eev.  Lewis  Jones,  entitled  "  Llawlyfr  Moliant," 
Hand  Book  of  Praise,  imported  from  Wales,  has  taken 
its  place.  This  book  is  the  one  now  generally  used 
by  the  Welsh  Baptist  churches  in  the  United  States. 

The  most  recent  Welsh  Baptist  hymn  book  pub- 
lished in  this  country  is  "  The  Baptist  Musical  Meas- 
ure." It  contains  Welsh  and  English  hymns,  and  is 
desio-ned  for  use  at  the  Eng-lish  and  Welsh  services  so 
commonly  held  in  the  Welsh  Baptist  churches  in  the 
United  States.  It  was  compiled  by  several  Baptist 
ministers  of  the  Welsh  Baptist  Association  of  eastern 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  published  in  1887,  in  Utica,  N. 
Y.,  by  Thomas  J.  Griffith. 


574  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS  IN  SPAIN. 


Baptist  Mission  work  in  Spain  was  commenced  in 
18G9,  by  Prof.  W.  I.  Knapp,  ph.d.,  who,  discovering  a 
field  for  Protestant  evangelical  labor,  entered  it  as  an 
independent  missionary.  Snccess  attended  his  efforts, 
and  Augnst  10,  1870,  Prof.  Knapp  organized  a  Baptist 
church  in  Madrid,  with  thirty-three  members.  The 
promise  of  the  mission  at  the  close  of  the  ^^ear  was 
such  that  Prof.  Knapp  was  appointed  a  missionary  of 
the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union,  and  under  his 
direction  the  work  of  the  mission  was  carried  forward 
with  energy  and  success  at  Madrid,  Alicante,  Valencia, 
and  other  places.  Having  seen  the  work  well  estab- 
lished. Prof.  Knapp  resigned  his  connection  with  the 
Missionary  Union  in  the  summer  of  1876,  leaving  the 
various  mission  stations  under  the  charo:e  of  native 
evantrelists. 

Prof.  Knapp  was  born  at  Greenpoint,  Long  Island, 
N.  Y.,  March  10,  1835.  His  collegiate  education  he 
received  at  Madison  and  New  York  Universities. 
After  his  graduation  at  Madison  University  in  1860, 
he  became  2:)rofessor  of  modern  languages  in  that 
institution.  Subsequently  he  was  professor  of  ancient 
and  modern  languages  in  Vassar  College.  He  went  to 
Europe  in  1867.  After  leaving  the  service  of  the 
Missionary  Union,  Prof.  Knapp  became  secretary  to 
the  American  Legation  in  Spain,  and  Spanish  corre- 
spondent of  the  London  Times.  In  1879,  he  was 
appointed  professor  of  modern  languages  in  Yale  Col- 
lege, a  position  which  he  has  most  creditably  filled, 
and  which  he  still  holds. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  575 

At  the  commencement  of  liis  missionary  work  in 
Spain,  Prof.  Knapp  prepared  and  published  at  Madrid 
a  small  collection  of  hymns  for  use  in  connection  Avith 
his  religious  services.  This  collection  was  enlarged 
from  time  to  time,  and  in  1871,  he  published  his 
"  Himnos  Cristianos,"  containing  sixty-nine  hymns,  of 
which  twenty-nine  were  written  by  Prof.  Knapp. 
Some  of  these,  such  as  numbers  1,  2,  64,  were  orig- 
inals. Others  were  free  translations  of  such  well 
known  hymns  as 

"  Kock  of  ages,  cleft  for  me," 

"  My  faith  looks  up  to  thee," 

"  Sweet  hour  of  prayer," 

"  Today  the  Savior  calls," 

"  Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea," 

"  Am  I  a  soldier  of  the  cross." 

Many  of  the  hymns  in  this  collection  have  since  been 
incorporated  in  other  compilations,  both  in  Spain  and 
Spanish  America.  In  a  second  edition,  "  Himnos  para 
uso  de  las  Iglesias  Cristianas  Primitivas  establecidas 
en  Espana,"  published  in  Madrid  in  1875,  some  new 
hymns  by  Prof.  Knapp  were  added. 

The  following  hymn  by  Prof.  Knapp,  number  59  in 
"Himnos  Cristianos,"  is  in  imitation  of  the  familiar 
hymn, 

The  morning  light  is  breaking: 

La  Esperanza  de  la  Iglesia. 

Levdntasc  la  aurora 
Se  va  la  oscuridad, 

Y  el  hombre  se  despierta 
A  luz  y  libertad. 

Arrepentios  todos, 
El  reino  cerca  esta; 

Y  el  drama  de  este  siglo 
Pronto  se  a<:abara. 


576  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

Conmuevense  los  pueblos, 
Recobran  su  vigor, 
Y  las  oscuras  nieblas 
Se  van  ante  el  albor. 

Los  juicios  del  eterno, 
Visibles  por  do  quier. 
Del  justo  soberano 
Demuestraa  el  poder. 

Salud,  honor  y  gloria 
Del  universo  al  Rey, 
Que  nos  da  gran  victoria 
Por  misterosa  ley; 

Su  reino  pronto  venga; 
Su  santa  voluntad 
Por  todo  el  orbe  tenga 
Suprema  autoridad. 

Hermanos  companeros, 
Sed  firmes  hasta  el  fin; 
Jesiis  con  plenas  manos 
Apresta  su  festin. 

El  carro  majcstuoso 
No  mucho  tardara 
Su  rostro  bondadoso 
La  luz  esparcira. 

Prof.  Knapp's  collection  of  hymns  is  now  ont  of 
print,  and  the  book  in  use  by  onr  Baptist  missionaries 
in  Spain  at  the  present  time  is  an  undenominational 
collection  of  two  hundred  and  fifty-nine  hymns,  enti- 
tled "  Himnario  Evangelico."  It  was  compiled  by 
Mr.  A.  R.  Fenn,  an  English  missionary,  who  for  many 
years  has  represented  the  Plymouth  Brethren  in  their 
mission  work  in  Madrid.  He  is  more  of  a  musician 
than  poet,  and  with  the  exception  of  some  translations 
and  adaptations  of  his  own,  the  book  comprises  hymns 
taken  from  hymn  books  already  in  use  among  Span- 
ish-speaking peoples  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  577 

BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS  IN  MEXICO. 


The  first  Protestant  evangelical  work  in  Mexico,  so 
far  as  I  can  ascertain,  was  done  by  Baptists.  In  the 
spring  of  1862,  a  young  Englishman,  John  W.  Butler, 
came  to  Monterey.  There  he  made  the  acquaintance 
of  Mr.  Thomas  M.  Westrup,  who,  born  April  10,  1837, 
in  London,  in  the  humble  sphere  of  artisan  life,  and 
with  scanty  opportunities  for  obtaining  an  education, 
made  his  way  to  Mexico  in  1852,  to  assist  his  father  in 
the  erection  of  a  flour  mill  there.  He  had  been 
brought  up  in  the  faith  of  the  Church  of  England,  and 
it  was  far  from  his  thoughts  that  he  should  ever 
become  a  pioneer  Baptist  preacher.  He  had  been 
seriously  inclined,  however,  from  his  early  years. 
The  influence  of  his  parents,  especially  of  his  mother, 
who  loved  and  tried  to  follow  the  Savior,  was  good. 
But  the  world,  above  all  the  world  in  Mexico,  is  not  a 
friend  to  grace  ;  and  so  his  attachment  to  Christ  was 
only  a  weak,  wavering,  halting  sentiment  until  1862, 
when  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Butler,  the  death  of  his 
mother,  and  acquaintanceship  with  Rev.  James  Hickey, 
in  the  order  here  named,  were  blessed  to  his  awaken- 
ing and  consecration  to  Christ. 

Rev.  James  Hickey  was  a  Baptist  minister,  who  on 
account  of  his  aversion  to  slavery  and  the  civil  war 
left  Texas  in  1861,  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Mata- 
moras.  He  was  originally  from  the  west  of  Ireland, 
where  he  was  born  in  1800.  At  the  request  of  Mr. 
Butler  and  Mr.  Westrup,  he  came  to  Monterey  in 
November,  1862.  Mr.  Westrup  gives  the  following 
account  of  the  results  of  this  visit : 
37 


578  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

"  I  was  charmed  with  brother  Hickey's  teaching  and 
books,  though  bred  an  EpiscopaUan,  and  really  ignor- 
ant of  theological  and  denominational  questions.  I 
joined  him,  and  gave  him  such  assistance  as  I  could. 
Other  foreigners,  including  my  father,  were  willing  to 
assist,  but  desired  to  keep  the  work  undenominational. 
This  they  could  not  do.  The  real  worker  was  a  Bap- 
tist, and  the  consequences  were  unavoidable.  We 
were  soon  left  severely  alone.  Two  Mexicans  and  I 
were  baptized  January  30,  1864,  and  the  same  day  the 
First  Baptist  church  w\as  organized  with  five  members." 

Mr.  Westrup  was  ordained  and  chosen  pastor  of 
the  little  flock,  as  Mr.  Hickey  was  agent  of  the  Ameri- 
can Bible  Society  in  Mexico.  At  the  close  of  1864, 
the  church  had  twenty  members.  Mr.  Hickey  died  in 
December,  1866,  and  Mr.  Westrup  was  made  his  suc- 
cessor as  agent  of  the  Bible  Society.  In  1869,  Mr. 
Westrup  resigned  this  position,  and  early  in  1870,  he 
accepted  an  appointment  of  the  American  Baptist 
Home  Missionary  Society,  as  missionary  to  Mexico. 
A  printing-press  was  purchased  for  his  use,  and  dis- 
tinctive missionary  work  was  commenced.  Since  that 
time  the  work  has  gone  forward,  and  is  now  well 
established,  with  suitable  head-quarters  in  the  city  of 
Mexico. 

Before  his  baptism  Mr.  Westrup  had  translated  a 
few  English  hymns  and  psalms  into  the  Spanish 
language.  Later,  on  account  of  the  demand  for  song 
in  the  service  of  the  sanctuary,  he  renewed  his  efforts 
in  this  direction,  and  since  that  time  he  has  composed 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  hymns,  most  of  which  are 
sung  by  the  various  evangelical  congregations  in 
Mexico,  being  included  in  the  hymn  books  of  other 
denominations. 

The  first  collection  of  his  hymns  Mr.  Westrup  pub- 
lished in  lb75.  It  was  set  up  and  printed  by  the 
author  himself.  The  last  edition  of  this  collection, 
entitled  "  Incienso  Cristiano.     Coleccion  de  Himnos/' 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  579 

contains  ninety-seven  hymns,  of  which  seventy-two, 
mostly  translations  of  familiar  English  hymns,  were 
written  by  Mr.  Westrup.  The  following  (No.  43)  is 
his  version  of  "  Sweet  Hour  of  Prayer  ": 

Gratisima  hora  de  oracion, 
Que  del  perturbo  mundanal 
A  la  presencia  paternal 
Elevas  este  corazon, 
Calmando  su  enfadoso  nial, 
Cerrando  peligrosas  vias, 
A  amar  palabras  y  obras  pias 
Moviendolo  con  fuerza  tal, 
Bendigote,  divino  don, 
Mi  tiempo  para  la  oracion. 

Grati'sima  hora  para  mi, 

En  alas  tuyas  subirJin 

Mis  preces  que  buscando  van 

Lu  fuente  que  te  surte  a  ti, 

Al  Salvador  veraz  y  fiel 

Que  me  mando  su  faz  buscar, 

Creer  su  palabra,  en  el  confiar, 

Posar  mi  carga  siempre  en  el: 

Y  si  tubare  algun  desliz 
De  ti  valerrae,  hora  feliz. 

Tiempo  grali'simo  de  orar, 
Consuelo  me  eres  cada  dia; 
A  la  escarpada  cumbre  guia 
De  la  que  pueda  contemplar 
La  patria  mia  del  porvenii  > 

Y  al  verla  bella  sin  igual, 

Mi  vuelo  emprenda  ya  inmortal, 
Clamando  estdtico  al  partir, 
"  Obtuve  ya  el  supremo  don: 
Adios,  pues,  hora  de  oracion." 


580  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 


BAPTIST   HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS  IN  GREECE. 


Ix  1873,  a  hymn  book,  for  the  use  of  the  Baptist 
mission  in  Greece,  was  pubUshed  at  Athens  by  Rev. 
D.  Z.  Sakellarios,  a  missionary  of  the  American  Bap- 
tist Missionary  Union.  It  was  entitled  "  Sacred 
Hymns."  These  hymns,  one  hundred  and  forty  in 
number,  were  selected  from  such  evangelical  hymns 
in  the  Greek  language  as  were  at  hand ;  and  one  of 
them,  number  109,  was  altered  to  make  it  suitable  for 
use  on  baptismal  occasions.  There  were  in  the  collec- 
tion no  hymns  by  Baptist  writers.  Hymn  52  is  a 
translation  of  Bishop  Heber's  well  known  missionary 
hymn, 

From  Greenland's  icy  mountains. 
Hymn  58  is  a  translation  of 

Sweet  hour  of  prayer. 
Hymn  60  is  a  translation  of 

Nearer,  my  God,  to  thee. 

To  these  "  Sacred  Hymns ''  were  added  thirty-six 
hymns  for  Sunday-school  use.  In  later  editions  Mrs. 
Sakellarios  added  seven  hymns  to  the  first  part,  mak- 
ing one  hundred  and  forty-seven  in  all.  These  were 
partly  translations  and  partly  originals. 

Adaline  JosErni>fE  (Edmands)  Sakellakios,  a 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Laura  Sprague  Edmands, 
was  born  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  February  19,  1830. 
The  gift  of  song  she  cultivated  in  childhood,  and  as 
she  advanced  in  life  she  became  proficient  in  instru- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  581 

mental  music,  receiving  instruction  both  upon  the 
piano  and  the  organ  from  the  best  masters  in  the  city. 
Birthday  anniversaries  and  social  family  meetings  she 
remembered  with  contributions  in  verse,  while  some 
of  her  poems  were  printed  in  several  of  the  journals 
of  the  day.  Under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  T.  F.  Caldi- 
cott  she  gave  her  heart  to  the  Savior  and  her  life  to 
his  service.  She  was  baptized  April  28,  1850,  and 
became  an  active  member  of  the  Charlestown  Baptist 
church,  teachhig  in  the  Sunday-school,  singing  in  the 
choir,  and  ready  to  aid  in  every  good  work.  Although 
other  inviting  fields  of  labor  opened  to  her,  no  call 
came  until  the  Macedonian  cry  was  heard  "  Come  over 
and  help  us."  This  cry  she  could  not  fail  to  recognize, 
and  after  mature  delilDeration  and  much  prayer,  she 
accepted  it  as  a  divine  call,  and  gave  her  life  to 
mission  work  in  Greece.  March  30,  1866,  she  was 
married  to  Rev.  D.  Z.  Sakellarios  of  Athens,  Greece ; 
and  in  April  following  she  sailed  from  New  York  for  her 
new  home.  She  reached  Athens  early  in  May,  and 
there  she  spent  twenty-one  years  in  her  Master's  service. 
She  died  at  Athens,  July  24,  1887,  and  was  buried  in 
the  Protestant  cemetery,  where  rest  so  many  others 
who  have  given  their  lives  for  Greece. 

One  of  Mrs.  Sakellarios'  hymns  is  a  translation  of 
the  well  known  hymn  in  "  Gospel  Hymns  "  entitled 
"  The  Home  Over  There." 

fi,   crKexj/ov  ti   €iv€  yj  yrj, 
'^Hv   €)^oiJi€v  irepav  e/cet  • 
JlXrjtjLov   XajXTrpov  Trorafiov 
Ot  ayiot  ^oicriv  o/xov. 

Xopos.  —  Nat  cKci,  vai  e/cci 

©a  irrjyaCvwixev  irioav  e/cei, 
Nal  eK€t,  vat   c/cet    vai  CKCi, 
©a  TrrjyaLvuifiev  iripav  CKei, 


582  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Q,  aKexl/ov  tous  <f)i\ov<;  eKet, 
Me  aajxa.  twv  toctov  yXvKv, 
Eis  olK-qfiara  's  rbv  ovpavov, 
OloL  cTvaL  cKcI  7rp6  r]fxiov. 

Xopos.  —  Nat  e/cei,  vat  e/cct,  k.  t.  X. 

"Ev  ot/cw  Tlarpo?  ju.as   cKCt 
IXpocTjUtcvovres   etve  ttoXXoi, 
K   T^/xet?  /xer    oXtyov  Katpov 
0a  rjfxeSa    s  Tov  ovpavov. 

Xopos.  —  Nat  cKet,  vat  cKct,  k.t.  X. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  583 


BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS  IN  INDIA. 


I?T  a  letter  from  Moypaukliggy,  Bengal,  under  date 
of  January  6,  1797,  Rev.  J.  Fountain  writes: 

"  Brother  Thomas  has  translated  Dr.  Watts'  88th 
hymn,  second  book,  '  Salvation !  0  the  Joyful  Sound,' 
&c.,  and  I  have  taught  the  congregation  at  Moypaul- 
diggy  to  sing  it  to  Sydenham  tune.  They  sing  it 
every  Lord's  day  in  time  of  worship.  We  are  also 
learning  it  at  Mudnabatty.  The  people  of  this  country 
know  nothing  of  music  as  a  science.  They  never  saw 
a  musical  character  in  their  lives,  but  it  is  astonishing 
to  hear  how  tuneably  they  sing  together.  We  sing 
Boshoo's  Bengal  hymn  every  Sabbath.  Brother 
Carey's  pundit  has  an  excellent  voice  and  fine  ear  ;  he 
will  learn  any  tune  by  my  singing  it  over  with  him  a 
few  times.  .  .  Brothers  Carey,  Thomas  and  myself, 
when  together,  can  sing  in  three  parts.  The  first 
evening  we  w^ere  together  (after  I  had  briefly  related 
what  the  Lord  was  doing  in  England,  when  I  left  it) 
we  joined  in  singing  the  421st  hymn  in  your  [Dr. 
Rippon's]  Selection  entitled  '  Longing  for  the  Latter- 
day  Glory,'  an  event  Avhich  none  have  greater  reason 
eagerly  to  desire,  than  we  in  this  wretched  country." 

September  27,  1798,  Mr.  Fountain  writes  to  Dr.  Rip- 
pon,  of  London :  "  I  shall  subjoin  a  hymn  composed 
in  Bengallee  by  Brother  Carey,  and  which  I  have 
translated  into  English.  We  sing  it  in  time  of  Ben- 
gallee worship  to  Helmsley  tune."  The  hymn  is 
printed  in  Rippon's  "  Baptist  Register,"  Vol.  3,  pp. 
169-171,  and  commences  as  follows : 

Jesus,  now  have  jiity  on  me; 
Show  the  mercy  of  a  God; 


684  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

Thou  art  guilty  man's  preserver; 
Hear  me  through  thy  jjrecious  blood. 

Jesus  hear  me ; 
Hear  me  through  thy  precious  blood. 

Dr.  Carey  wrote  other  hymns,  one  of  which  is  still 
in  use.  Smith,  in  his  Life  of  Carey,  says :  "  He  had 
thus  early  (1798)  brought  into  the  service  of  Christ 
the  Hindoo  love  of  musical  recitation,  which  was  re- 
cently re-discovered,  and  now  forms  a  most  important 
mode  of  evangelistic  work  when  accompanied  by 
native  musical  instruments." 

Krishnu  Pal,  the  first  heathen  convert  baptized  by 
Dr.  Carey,  was  also  the  author  of  a  number  of  hymns 
in  Bengali.  One  of  his  hymns  was  translated  by  Dr. 
Marshman,  Dr.  Carey's  associate,  and  has  found  a 
place  in  most  English  hymn  books  in  all  branches  of 
the  Christian  church  down  to  our  own  time.  It  is  as 
follows : 

O  thou,  my  soul,  forget  no  more 
The  Friend  who  all  thy  misery  bore ; 
Let  every  idol  be  forgot, 
But,  O  my  soul,  forget  him  not. 

Jesus  for  thee  a  body  takes, 
Thy  guilt  assumes,  thy  fetters  breaks. 
Discharging  all  thy  dreadful  debt; 
And  canst  thou  e'er  such  love  forget  ? 

Kenounce  thy  works  and  ways  with  grief, 
And  fly  to  this  most  sure  relief; 
Nor  him  forget  who  left  his  throne 
And  for  thy  life  gave  up  his  own. 

Infinite  truth  and  mercy  shine 

In  him,  and  he  himself  is  thine; 

And  canst  thou  then,  with  sin  beset. 

Such  charms,  such  matchless  charms,  forget  ? 

Ah  no;  when  all  things  else  expire, 
And  perish  in  the  general  fire, 
This  name  all  others  shall  survive. 
And  through  eternity  shall  live. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  585 

The  hymn  has  undergone  several  changes.     In  some 
collections  the  last  stanza  is  given  as  follows : 

O  no;  till  life  itself  depart 
His  name  shall  cheer  and  warm  my  heart; 
And  lisping  this,  from  earth  1  '11  rise 
And  join  the  chorus  of  the  skies. 

A  translation  of  another  hymn  by  Krishnu  Pal,  on 
"  Salvation  by  the  Death  of  Christ,"  is  in  Miss  M.  E. 
Leslie's  "  Eastern  Blossoms,  a  Story  for  Native  Chris- 
tian Women"  (1875). 

Krishna's  acquaintance  with  the  missionaries  com- 
menced in  this  way :  At  his  work  as  a  carpenter  he 
had  broken  his  arm,  and  Mr.  Thomas,  Dr.  Carey's 
associate,  was  called  to  set  the  broken  limb.  Having 
done  this,  the  missionary  embraced  the  opportunity  to 
speak  a  few  words  for  his  Master  to  those  present. 
The  words  found  a  lodging-place  in  the  carpenter's 
heart,  and  he  called  on  the  missionary  later  for  further 
instruction.  His  wife  and  daughter  also  became  inter- 
ested. December  22,  1800,  Krishnu,  and  Gokol,  his 
brother,  renounced  their  caste  by  sitting  down  to  eat 
with  the  missionaries.  That  evening  Krishnu,  his 
wife  and  daughter,  offered  themselves  for  baptism, 
and  were  received.  When  it  was  known  that  Krishnu 
had  renounced  his  caste,  and  become  a  Christian, 
there  was  intense  excitement  in  Serampore,  and  a 
mob  of  two  thousand  persons  appeared  before  his 
house,  and  dragged  him  and  his  brother  before  a  mag- 
istrate, but  they  were  soon  released.  The  wife  and 
daughter  now  hesitated  to  declare  their  allegiance  to 
Christ.  Gokol,  also,  drew  back.  But  Krishnu  was 
steadfast ;  and  December  28,  1800,  with  Dr.  Carey's 
son  Felix,  then  a  lad  of  sixteen  years,  he  was  baptized 
in  the  Ganges  in  the  presence  of  the  English  gov- 
ernor. Dr.  Carey,  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Rippon,  dated 
April  8,  1801,  says: 

"  The  ordinance  was  administered  in  the  river  just 
opposite  to  our  house.     The  river  here  is  a  full  half 


58G  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

mile  wide.  We  had  a  good  number  of  people,  Euro- 
peans, Portuguese  (natives),  and  Hindoos.  I  addressed 
them  in  the  Bengal  tongue.  We  sung  a  Bengal  trans- 
lation of  the  451st  hymn  of  your  '  Selection,' 

Jesus,  and  shall  it  ever  be, 

after  which  I  prayed,  and  descended  into  the  water. 
Afterward  Brother  Marshman  addressed  the  by-stand- 
ers  in  Bengallee.  I  felt  joy  at  this  triumph  of  the 
cross  over  superstition,  and  I  believe  we  all  felt  much 
joy  in  the  Lord." 

In  a  letter  dated  Serampore,  March  18,  1801,  Dr. 
Carey  announces  the  baptism  of  the  wife  of  Krishnu, 
February  22.  Of  Krishnu's  daughter,  Andrew  Fuller, 
writing  at  Kettering,  March  26,  1802,  having  received 
letters  from  Serampore  up  to  September,  1801,  says : 
"Krishnu's  eldest  daughter,  who  was  not  baptized, 
but  of  whom  hopes  were  entertained,  has  been  seized 
and  carried  away  by  force  by  the  man  to  whom  she 
was  betrothed.  But  when  beaten,  and  in  the  utmost 
peril  of  her  life,  she  bore  a  noble  testimony  for  Christ, 
and  expressed  her  determination,  whether  she  lived  or 
died,  to  live  or  die  a  Christian."  Mr.  Fuller  also  an- 
nounced the  baptism  of  Gokol,  Krishnu's  brother. 

Krishnu  soon  began  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  he 
had  the  privilege  of  baptizing  hundreds  of  his  coun- 
trymen.    He  died  of  cholera,  in  1822. 

A  Bengali  hymn  book  was  early  published  at  Ser- 
ampore, but  the  hymn  book  in  this  dialect,  which  has 
been  in  use  by  the  English  Baptist  missionaries  dur- 
ing the  post  fifty  years,  was  published  in  Calcutta.  It 
was  edited,  and  to  a  great  extent  it  was  prepared,  by 
Kev.  J.  H.  Pearce,  who  also  composed  many  of  its 
hymns.  Mr.  Pearce's  Bengali  hymns  were  for  the 
most  part  in  English  metres.  The  natives,  however, 
greatly  prefer  their  own  metres,  regarding  English 
metres  as  harsh.  The  collection  also  contains  a  large 
number  of  native  hymns.  "  Any  Bengali,"  says  a 
missionary,  "  will  write  verse  to  order." 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  587 

The  hymn  books  in  use  at  the  Baptist  mission 
stations  in  northwestern  India,  including  Delhi, 
Munghyr,  Allahabad,  Agra,  Patna  and  Dinapore,  are  a 
Hindi  hymn  book  and  an  Urdu  hymn  book.  The 
last  (fifth)  edition  of  the  former  contains  two  hundred 
and  sixty-seven  hymns,  of  which  one  hundred  and 
ninety-three  are  in  the  Hindi  language  and  metres, 
forty-one  in  the  Urdu  language  and  metres,  and  thirty- 
three  in  the  Hindi  language  and  English  metres. 
Most  of  the  hymns  of  the  first  class  were  written  by 
Kev.  John  Parsons  and  Rev.  John  Chamberlain.  The 
latter,  who  died  in  1821,  published  a  volume  of  hymns 
in  1810.  Mr.  Parsons  died  in  1869.  Most  of  his 
hymns  are  familiar  with  the  natives.  But  the  most 
important  name  in  this  connection  is  that  of  John 
Christian,  an  indigo  planter,  and  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Munghyr.  He  died  a  few  years  ago. 
Rev.  G.  D.  Bates,  of  Allahabad,  who  knew  Mr. 
Christian,  writes  :  "  If  in  the  course  of  his  journeyings 
he  happened  to  hear  a  native  singing  some  melody 
with  which  he  was  particularly  pleased,  he  would  ask 
the  man  to  come  and  sing  outside  of  his  tent.  Mr. 
Christian  would  then  compose  a  hymn  to  the  praise  of 
Christ  iii  a  metre  suited  to  that  tune.  Some  of  the 
tunes  of  the  Hindus  of  these  parts  are  very  beautiful 
to  those  who  have  learned  to  like  them,  only  as  with 
curry  and  rice  the  taste  has  to  be  acquired  first.  Mr. 
Christian's  aim  was  to  teach  the  church  in  India  to  sing 
the  praises  of  Christ  to  tunes  indigenous.  One  pleas- 
ing result  is  that  his  hymns  are  often  sung  by  the 
people  just  as  boys  in  England  sing  songs  in  the 
streets.  Mr.  Christian's  hymns  are  greater  favorites 
with  the  natives  than  those  of  any  other  composer." 
About  one  hundred  of  Mr.  Christian's  hymns  are  in 
another  collection  designed  for  circulation  nmono;  the 
Hindus  as  a  tract.  "  These  hymns  by  Mr.  Christian," 
adds  Mr.  Bates,  "  are  compositions  of  exquisite  beauty 
and  finish.     Best  of  all,  they  touch  the  heart,  awak- 


588  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

enino;  the  most  tender  emotions.  Some  of  them  I  can 
never  join  in  singing  withont  moistened  eyes.  When 
India  becomes  a  Christian  country,  we  may  well  be- 
lieve that  these  hymns  of  his  will  continue  to  be  to 
the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  a  perennial  source  of  edifi- 
cation and  delight."- 

While  most  of  the  hymns  in  this  Hindi  hymn 
book  are  original,  it  contains  a  few  translations  of 
well  known  English  hymns,  such  as 

"  There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood," 

"  There  is  a  happy  land," 

"  Tell  me  the  old,  old  story," 

"  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by,"  etc. 

The  Urdu  hymn  book  contains  three  hundred 
hymns,  including  the  first  two  classes  of  hymns  in  the 
Hindi  hymn  book,  together  with  a  large  number  of 
original  Urdu  and  Hindi  hymns.  This  Urdu  hymn 
book  was  compiled  by  Rev.  R.  F.  Guyton,  and  pub- 
lished at  Delhi  about  the  year  1880. 

At  the  Orissa  Baptist  Mission  hymns  were  com- 
posed and  circulated  before  the  first  hymn  book  was 
printed  in  1844.  Rev.  A.  Sutton,  d.d.,  was  the  com- 
piler of  this  collection,  and  of  its  three  hundred  and 
ten  hymns  he  was  the  author  of  one  hundred  and 
seventy-nine.  In  the  preface  Dr.  Sutton  says  :  "  The 
compiler  of  this  volume  of  hymns  apprehends  that 
there  are  very  few  of  them  respecting  whose  pater- 
nity any  jealousy  will  long  be  felt,  but  as  inquiries 
are  constantly  arising  in  relation  to  our  India  Chris- 
tian literature,  recent  as  is  its  origin,  which  can  rarely 
be  answered,  he  has  thought  it  desirable  to  give  a 
general  clue  to  the  parties  who  have  furnished  these 
hymns.  Of  his  own  contributions  he  may  remark 
that  most  of  them  are  simply  transferred  from  the 
Bengali,  with  such  alterations  as  the  Orissa  required. 
Others   are    translations   of  English    hymns,    or   sug- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  689 

gested  by  English  hymns ;  and  a  few  are  originals. 
He  supposes  similar  remarks  may  be  made  in  refer- 
ence to  the  other  contributions.  Some  of  the  trans- 
lations from  the  Bengali  were  made  at  the  commence- 
ment of  his  literary  course,  when  he  was  unable  to 
translate  all  the  verses,  or  thought  it  unnecessary  to 
do  so ;  but  having  once  obtained  currency,  he  found 
it  difficult  to  alter  them  for  the  present  edition." 

In  this  collection  thirty-four  hymns  are  by  Rev.  C. 
Lacey,  and  sixty-five  by  Gunga  Dhar,  the  first  Orissa 
convert  There  are  fifteen  otlier  contributors,  of 
wdiom  one  supplies  six  hymns.  Of  the  whole  number 
of  hymns  in  the  collection,  twenty-four  are  in  English 
metres.  The  remainder  are  in  the  native  measure, 
adapted  to  the  old  ballad  tunes  of  the  country.  The 
subjects  include  all  those  most  commonly  found  in 
English  hymn  books,  such  as  the  attributes  and  works 
of  God,  the  love  and  grace  of  Christ,  the  death  and 
resurrection  of  Christ,  Christ  as  a  Savior,  the  Holy 
Spirit,  regeneration,  faith,  the  scriptures,  the  Lord's 
day,  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper,  etc. 

With  the  exception  of  about  forty  hymns  retained 
in  the  new  selections,  the  hymns  in  Dr.  Sutton's  col- 
lection are  no  longer  in  use.  In  the  present  collec- 
tion, made  up  of  selections  printed  from  time  to  time, 
there  are  three  hundred  and  two  hymns  from  twenty- 
three  contributors,  of  whom  thirteen  are  living.  In 
this  collection  twenty-two  hj^mns  by  Gunga  Dhar  are 
retained.  These  contain  much  genuine  Christian 
teaching  and  true  poetry,  and  some  of  them  seem  des- 
tined to  remain  in  permanent  use.  Makunda  Das 
heads  the  list  of  contributors  Avith  one  hundred  and 
forty-five  hymns,  nearly  half  of  the  whole  number. 
He  has  been  called  the  Dr.  Watts  of  Orissa,  and  his 
hymns  have  undoubtedly  rendered  much  useful  ser- 
vice in  expressing  the  best  Christian  sentiment,  and 
in  deepening  the  spiritual  life  of  the  churches.  He 
has  also  prepared  poetical  versions  of  the  four  gos- 
pels, and  the  books  of  Psalms  and  Proverbs. 


590  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Shem  Saliu  has  fifty-nine  hymns  in  this  collection. 
He  is  co-pastor  of  the  church  at  Cuttack.  By  his 
translations,  and  as  a  writer  of  original  compositions, 
he  has  made  valuable  additions  to  the  Christian  litera- 
ture of  the  country.  His  father,  one  of  the  first  con- 
verts from  Hinduism,  contributed  two  hymns. 

Kartick  Samal  contributes  twenty-three  hymns. 
He  was  for  many  years  the  foreman  of  the  Orissa 
mission  press  at  Cuttack,  and  was  a  man  of  remarka- 
ble gifts.  His  poetical  version  of  the  Sermon  on 
the  Mount  is  a  standard  tract.  A  missionary  hymn 
by  him  is  in  frequent  use  on  anniversary  occasions. 

Daniel  Mahanty  is  the  most  prominent  among  the 
recent  contributors  to  the  native  hymnody.  He  is 
the  senior  deacon  of  the  mission  church  at  Baham- 
pore,  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  and  a  use- 
ful Christian  worker. 

In  this  collection  the  English  metres  have  almost 
entirely  disappeared,  and  a  much  larger  variety  of 
native  metres  have  been  introduced.  On  the  othCi.* 
hand,  however,  in  the  new  edition  of  Sunday-school 
hymns,  there  has  been  an  increase  of  English  metres. 

Concerning  the  earlier  hymn  books  prepared  by  the 
Missionary  Union's  missionaries  among  the  Telugus 
we  have  little  information.  Mrs.  Dr.  Lyman  Jewett 
writes  :  "  When  we  commenced  our  mission  work  in 
1849,  we  had  few  hymns  and  but  little  singing.  R. 
Sashiah,  a  talented  native  singer,  used  to  drill  the  few 
Christians  connected  with  the  mission  and  the  pupils 
of  my  little  boarding-school  every  Saturday  morning. 
Not  many  of  his  hymns  were  accepted  by  us,  he  not 
being  a  decided  Christian,  if  a  Christian  at  all." 
Other  hymns,  composed  by  the  missionaries  or  by 
native  Christians,  were  added  from  time  to  time. 
The  first  Telugu  Baptist  hymn  book  was  compiled  by 
Mrs.  Jewett  and  Mrs.  Clough  about  the  year  1866,  or 
1867.  A  revised  edition,  or  more  properly  a  new 
compilation,  was  made  about  ten  years  later. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  591 

In  1879,  Mrs.  Annie  H.  Downie,  of  Nellore,  wife  of 
Kev.  David  Downie,  d.d.,  published  a  collection  of 
"•  Christian  Hymns,  Selected  and  Reduced  to  Music 
from  the  Native  Airs."  This  was  the  first  collection 
of  Telugu  hymns  with  music  ever  published.  It  was 
a  work  of  great  labor,  as  Mrs.  Downie  in  its  prepara- 
tion was  obliged  to  catch  the  notes  of  these  hymns 
from  sinorers  as  best  she  could.  But  it  was  a  much 
needed  work,  as  hitherto  no  two  congregations  con- 
nected with  the  mission  sang  the  same  hymn  in  the 
same  way. 

A  new  Baptist  Telugu  hymn  book  was  published  in 
1887.  It  is  entitled  "Telugu  Hymns  in  Native  and 
English  Metres.  For  Public  and  Private  Worship." 
Mrs.  Downie  Avas  chairman  of  the  committee  that  had 
this  work  in  charge.     In  the  preface  she  says  : 

"  This  collection  of  Christian  hymns  is  the  work  of 
a  committee  appointed  at  the  Jubilee  of  the  American 
Baptist  Telugu  Mission  held  in  Nellore,  February, 
1886.  It  contains  many  of  the  best  hymns  used  in 
nil  previous  collections  published  by  our  mission.  It 
also  has  a  number  of  choice  hymns  from  the  Delta 
Mission  Collection,  for  which  we  are  indebted  to  our 
brethren  at  Nursapur.  It  also  contains  a  number  of 
hymns  from  the  excellent  Dawson  Collection,  for  which 
we  thank  Dr.  Murdock  of  the  Madras  Tract  Society. 

"  Beside  these  selected  hymns,  the  collection  Avill 
be  found  to  contain  a  large  number  of  new  and  origi- 
nal hymns.  Some  of  the  choicest  of  them  are  by 
Chondari  Purushottam,  of  Cuttack,  in  the  Orissa  mis- 
sion. Quite  a  number  of  original  hymns  by  members 
of  our  own  native  churches  are  included  in  the  collec- 
tion, not  so  much  for  their  special  excellence,  though 
they  are  by  no  means  wanting  in  some  degree  of 
merit,  but  chiefly  because  of  the  special  interest 
attachinsT  to  them  in  being  our  own,  and  also  to  en- 
courage  whatever  native  talent  we  have  in  this  direc- 
tion. The  English  metres  are  usually  translations  by 
our  own  and  other  missionaries." 


592  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

The  number  of  hymns  in  this  collection  is  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-seven,  of  these  forty-four  were  written 
by  Chondari  Purushottam.  He  is  a  convert  from 
some  Sudra  caste  of  Hindus,  and  of  Telugu  birth. 
For  a  long  time  he  was  employed  as  a  catechist  in 
connection  with  the  London  Missionary  Society,  and  is 
the  author  of  many  tracts  commending  Christianity 
to  his  countrymen.  His  "  History  of  Salvation  "  is  said 
to  be  a  work  of  undying  fame,  admired  even  by  pun- 
dits of  classical  learning.  The  diction  is  at  once  mus- 
ical and  elevated,  and  the  work  breathes  a  spirit  of 
earnest  devotion  throughout.  In  recent  years  he  has 
been  connected  with  the  Baptist  mission  at  Cuttack, 
where,  full  of  years,  he  is  still  (1887)  serving  his  Lord 
as  far  as  his  strength  permits.  Dr.  Lyman  Jewett 
says  of  Purushottam  :  "I  have  heard  him  spoken  of 
by  our  intelligent  Telugu  Christians,  who  knew  him 
well,  as  a  '  learned  man.'  I  think  he  is  now  over 
seventy  3'ears  of  age  and  blind.  Among  those  who 
are  always  found  at  the  Sabbath  services  and  week- 
day prayer  meetings,  he  is  one.  He  is  full  of  Chris- 
tian love.  One  of  his  hymns  of  which  we  never  tire 
is  on  '  The  Raising;  of  Lazarus.'  " 

T.  Yohan,  connected  with  the  American  Baptist 
Telugu  mission,  is  the  author  of  thirty-four  hymns  in 
this  new  collection.  Others  connected  with  this  mis- 
sion, who  have  hymns  in  the  collection,  are  as 
follows:  B.  Ambrose,  five  hymns;  M.  Ragavallo,  five 
hymns;  A.  P.  Veeraswamy,  three  hymns ;  Mrs.  Jewett 
and  Mrs.  Clough,  three  hymns ;  J.  Burder,  two 
hymns  ;  V.  Appiah,  two  hymns  ;  Mrs.  Jewett.  Mrs.  W. 
W.  Campbell,  R.  Sashiah,  R.  Lutchmi-Nursu,  B.  Kotiah 
and  T.  Benjamin,  each  one  hymn. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  593 


BAPTIST   HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS  IN  BURMA. 


During  the  earliest  years  of  the  Barman  mission, 
singing  was  not  a  part  of  native  Christian  worship. 
Dr.  Judson  conlcl  not  sing,  there  were  no  hymns,  and 
the  native  prejudice  against  the  introduction  of  sing- 
ins;  was  strono".  According;  to  the  native  mind,  sing- 
ing  was  not  only  foreign  to  all  proper  ideas  of  worship, 
but  was  one  of  the  things  interdicted  by  religious  law 
and  custom.  It  was  intimately  associated  with  theat- 
rical performances.  However,  after  much  opposition, 
as  tradition  runs,  the  missionaries  determined  to  intro- 
duce singing  into  worship.  Dr.  Judson  composed  the 
first  hymn,  "  Shway  pyee  koung-gin,"  and  Dr.  Wade 
became  responsible  for  the  music.  Notwithstanding 
the  efforts  put  forth  by  the  missionaries,  singing  did 
not  become  popular,  and  after  a  considerable  time, 
according  to  one  report,  was  abandoned.  At  any  rate, 
it  did  not  come  into  general  favor  until  the  arrival  of 
the  Cutters  and  Hancocks.  Mrs.  Cutter  and  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hancock  were  fine  singers,  and  under  their  direc- 
tion and  skill  all  prejudice  disappeared,  and  music  was 
established  as  a  part  of  sacred  worship. 

In  speaking  of  Burman  and  Karen  hymnody,  it 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  hymns  in  those  lan- 
guages, with  a  few  exceptions,  which  will  be  noted  in 
their  place,  are  written  according  to  western  ideas  of 
versification,  and  have  nothing  in  common  with  the 
style  of  the  indigenous  poetry  of  the  country.  In- 
deed, the  natives  of  Burma,  uninfluenced  by  mission- 
ary ideas,  would  not  regard  the  hymns  as  poetical. 
38 


594  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

It  would  not  be  possible  to  sing  native  poetry  to  west- 
ern music. 

Rev.  E.  a.  Stevens,  d.d.,  contributed  eighty-nine 
hymns  to  the  Burman  hymn  book.  These  are  chiefly 
translations  or  adaptations  of  English  hymns,  but 
there  are  some  which  are  original.  Dr.  Stevens  was 
born  at  Sunbury,  Liberty  County,  Georgia,  January 
23,  1814.  Educated  at  Brown  University  and  New- 
ton Theological  Institution,  he  sailed  for  Burma,  Octo- 
ber 28,  1837.  He  was  a  man  of  rare  purity  of  spirit 
and  unassuming  piety,  and  was  greatly  beloved  by  his 
brethren.  Dr.  Judson  committed  to  him  the  editino; 
and  jDublication  of  his  Burman  and  English  Diction- 
ary. Much  of  his  life  was  spent  in  literary  work  as 
editor  of  the  Burman  monthly  religious  newspaper,  a 
translator  of  histories,  a  writer  of  commQutaries,  and 
the  compiler  of  a  concordance.  At  one  time,  his  wife 
says,  he  spent  every  Sunday  evening,  after  preaching, 
in  the  preparation  of  a  hymn.  His  hymns  have  clear- 
ness of  thought,  ease  of  expression,  and  correctness 
of  style.     Dr.  Stevens  died  in  Rangoon,  June  19,  1886. 

Rev.  E.  0.  Stevens,  son  of  Dr.  Stevens,  has 
twenty-seven  hymns  in  the  Burman  hymn  book,  and 
has  published  others  since  its  compilation.  He  was 
born  in  Burma,  December  17,  1838,  and  was  educated 
at  Brown  University  and  Newton  Theological  Institu- 
tion. He  returned  to  Burma  as  a  missionary  in  the 
autumn  of  1864,  and  settled  at  Prome,  where  he  has 
since  remained.  Speaking  the  Burmese  as  a  vernacu- 
lar, he  uses  it  with  facility  in  the  translation  of  hymns. 

Mrs.  Caroline  J.  (Harrington)  Simons  has  twenty- 
two  hymns.  She  was  born  at  Brookfield,  Mass., 
October  28,  1811,  and  died  at  Maulmain,  May  1,  1843, 
after  eleven  years  of  mission  service.  Her  hymns  are 
among  the  best  in  the  Burman  language. 

Rev.  James  R.  Haswell,  son  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Has- 
well,  D.D.,  has  nineteen  hymns.  He  was  born  at  Am- 
herst, BurmaJ  September  4,  1836.     He  graduated   at 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  595 

Madison  University,  and  sailed  for  Burma  as  a  mis- 
sionary in  1859.  He  died  of  cholera,  May  20,  1877. 
Burman  was  a  mother  tongue  to  him,  and  he  used  it 
with  great  eloquence  in  preaching.  His  hymns  have 
much  of  the  sonorous,  stately  movement  which  char- 
acterizes the  religious  language  of  the  people. 

Sarah  Boardman"  Judson  wrote  fifteen  hymns. 
Her  Burman  hymns  have  the  easy  grace  and  happy 
expression  which  characterize  her  English  verse. 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Judson,  in  her  Life  of  Sarah  B.  Judson,  in 
a  note  at  the  close,  says  : 

"  The  following  translation  of  one  of  Mrs.  Judson's 
hymns  may  be  admitted  as  a  tolerable  specimen  of  her 
labors  in  this  department,  though  it  has  been  found 
difficult  to  preserve  the  simplicity  of  the  original,  and 
the  sentiments  lose  much  of  their  force  by  being 
transformed  to  another  languasre  and  a  different  scene. 
The  first  two  stanzas,  especially,  convey  a  distinct  and 
positive  meaning  to  Burmese  converts,  which  can  never 
be  appreciated  by  those  who  worship  God  beneath 
genial  skies,  with  none  to  molest  or  make  them  afraid. 

Divine  Assistance  Implored. 

■When,  like  torrents,  swiftly  rushing, 

Foes  arise  in  everj'  place, 
Mocking,  persecuting,  crushing, 

Oh,  defend  us,  God  of  Grace! 

When  the  friends,  that  used  to  cherish, 

Drive  us  from  our  homes  so  dear, 
Parents  send  us  forth  to  perish, 

Then,  O  God  of  Love,  be  near! 

"When  with  subtle  words  beguiling, 

Satan  comes  his  arts  to  wield. 
Like  a  serpent,  twining,  wiling, 

God  of  Mercy,  be  our  shield! 

When  with  pale  disease  we  languish, 

Or,  on  beds  of  suffering  laid, 
Toss  in  restless,  burning  anguish, 

God  of  Pity,  lend  thine  aid  I 


596  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

When,  our  earthly  vision  failing, 

Death's  dark  realm  before  us  lies, 
Far  from  scenes  of  woe  and  wailing, 

Bear  us,  God  of  Paradise!  " 

Fourteen  hymns  were  written  by  Rev.  Lovell  Ingalls, 
all  of  which  are  probably  original.  He  was  born  at 
Worcester,  N.  Y.,  August  21,  1808.  After  completing 
his  education  at  Hamilton  Literary  and  Theological 
Institution,  he  sailed  from  Boston,  September  20, 1835. 
His  mission  life  was  spent  at  Mergui,  Akyab  and  Ran- 
goon. He  died  at  sea,  between  Calcutta  and  Rangoon, 
March  14,  1856.     His  hymns  are  simple  and  didactic. 

Rev.  J.  M.  Haswell,  d.d.,  prepared  thirteen  hymns. 
He  was  born  at  Bennington,  Vt.,  February  4,  1810. 
After  he  graduated  from  the  Hamilton  Literary  and 
Theological  Institution,  he  sailed  for  Burma,  Septem- 
ber 22,  1835,  and  spent  the  most  of  his  life  at  Amherst 
and  Maulmain.  He  became  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  Peguan  and  Burman,  translated  the  New  Testa- 
ment into  Peguan  and  prepared  many  Peguan  and 
Burman  tracts.  He  died  at  Maulmain,  September  13, 
1876.  The  style  of  his  hymns  resembles  that  of  his 
son. 

Rev.  Lymais"  Stilsox  is  .credited  with  ten  hymns. 
He  was  born  at  Meredith,  N.  Y.,  in  1805  ;  sailed  for 
Burma,  October  28,1837;  retired  from  the  mission 
December  23,  1851,  on  account  of  ill  health  ;  and  died 
March  23, 1886.  The  mathematical  works  whichhe  pub- 
lished in  Burman  have  been  valuable  in  the  education 
of  native  youth,  and  are  in  use  at  the  present  time. 
His  useful  missionary  life  was  brought  to  an  end  by 
the  permanent  weakness  and  ill  health  which  resulted 
from  a  brutal  attack  made  upon  him  by  Burman 
robbers  who  sought  to  obtain  the  funds  in  his  hands  as 
mission  treasurer.     His  hymns  are  smooth  in  style. 

Rev.  N.  Brown,  d.d.,  one  of  the  most  scholarly  and 
versatile  missionaries  ever  connected  with  the  Ameri- 
can Baptist  Missionary  Union,  was  the  writer  of  nine 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  597 

hymns.  He  sailed  for  Burma,  December  22,  1832. 
He  passed  several  years  at  Maulmain,  and  it  was  at 
this  time  that  his  Burman  hymns  were  written.  One 
of  them,  a.  translation  of  "  There  is  a  happy  land," 
has  always  been  exceedingly  popular. 

Rev.  JoisrATHAisr  Wade,  d.d.,  has  seven  hymns.  He 
was  born  at  Otsego,  N.  Y.,  December  10,  1798 ;  edu- 
cated at  Hamilton  Literary  and  Theological  Institution; 
and  sailed  for  Burma,  June  22, 1825.  On  the  opening 
of  the  first  Burman  war  he  and  Rev.  Mr.  Hough  were 
seized,  imprisoned,  and  twice  made  ready  for  execution. 
They  were  saved  by  the  British  after  their  victorious 
assault  on  Rangoon.  Dr.  Wade  spoke  both  Burman 
and  Karen  fluently-.  He  rendered  the  Karens  the  in- 
valuable service  of  reducing- their  lansruao'e  to  writiniz:. 
He  also  prepared  a  Karen  dictionary,  a  scholarly 
Karen  thesaurus,  and  other  works  in  the  Karen  lan- 
guage. In  Burman  he  is  known  by  his  dictionary  of 
Buddhism  and  his  excellent  tracts.  His  life  was  a 
quiet  one,  and  whatever  came  from  his  pen  exhibits 
great  painstaking,  but  his  hymns  are  somewhat  faulty 
in  metre.     He  died  in  Rangoon  in  1873. 

Three  hymns  are  from  the  pen  of  Rev.  Adoniram 
Judson,  D.D.,  the  pioneer  American  Baptist  Missionary 
to  Burma.  His  hymns  are  original,  and  are  the  only 
ones  in  which  a  foreigner  has  attempted  to  embody 
Burman  ideas  of  poetry.  He  spent  much  labor  on  his 
hymns,  and  especially  on  his  first  hymn,  "  Shway  pyee 
koung-gin,"  etc.,  to  accomplish  this  result.  Conse- 
quentl}'  his  hymns  are  among  the  best  in  the  Burman 
hymn  book. 

Three  hymns  are  by  Miss  Kate  F.  Evans,  of  Vir- 
ginia, for  nearly  fourteen  years  a  resident  missionary 
at  Thongzai.  She  has  an  excellent  mastery  of  the 
Burman  language,  and  has  prepared  some  school- 
books. 

Two  hymns  apiece  are  ascribed  to  Rev.  A.  R.  R. 
Crawley  Rev.  Thomas  Allen  and  Benjamin  Le  Geois. 


598  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Mr.  Crawley  was  born  at  Cape  Breton^  in  1831,  and 
w^as  educated  at  Acadia  College  and  Newton  Theologi- 
cal Institution.  He  sailed  for  Burma,  De€ember  12, 
1853,  and  spent  most  of  his  mission  life  at  Henzada. 
He  died  October  9,  1876. 

Rev.  Thomas  Allen  was  born  in  Luzerne  County, 
Pa.,  October  24, 1824.  He  sailed,  September  18,  1852, 
and  resigned  in  1862.  He  is  now  District  Secretary 
of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union  for  Ohio. 

Benjamin  Le  Geois  was  a  •  Eurasian  of  French 
extraction,  wdio  was  mission  school  teacher  at  Amherst 
for  many  years.  In  the  later  years  of  his  life  the 
church  was  obliiired  to  withdraw  the  hand  of  fellow- 
ship  from  .him.     He  died  a  long  time  ago. 

The  following  persons  have  prepared  only  one 
hymn.  Mrs.  Laura  Crawle}^,  wdfe  of  Rev.  A.  R.  R. 
Crawley,  was  a  faithful  helper  of  her  husband  during 
his  life  time,  but  since  his  death  has  made  her  home 
in  Nova  Scotia. 

Mrs.  Rosa  Adams  Bailey  w\as  born  in  India,  May  9, 
1843,  and  died  of  cholera,  at  Zeegong,  July  27,  1879. 
She  was  a  remarkably  energetic  and  popular  mission- 
ary among  the  Burmans. 

Rev.  Cephas  Bennett  was  born  at  Homer,  N.  Y., 
March  20,  1804 ;  sailed  for  Burma,  May,  1829 ;  and 
died  at  Rangoon,  November  16, 1885,  after  a  remarkably 
long  missionary  life  spent  principally  in  charge  of  the 
mission  press. 

Mrs.  Emily  C.  Judson,  well  known  through  her  lit- 
erary productions  published  before  her  marriage,  has 
already  been  noticed  with  other  American  Baptist 
hymn  writers. 

Mrs.  Harriet  C.  (Mason)  Stevens  was  bom 
November  24,  1841.  Her  father  was  Rev.  Francis 
Mason,  d.d. 

A.  W.  Lonsdale,  an  Eurasian,  is  a  young  man  em- 
ployed as  a  teacher  in  one  of  the  government  normal 
schools. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  599 

Several  natives  have  composed  hymns  which  appear 
in  the  Burnian  hymn  book,  but  none  of  them  have 
any  special  merit.  Some  of  these  hymns  are  written 
in  lines  of  seven  syllables,  in  which  one  sees  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Burman  idea  of  j)oetical  style. 

MouNG  SiiWAY  BwiN  leads  off  with  twenty-three 
hymns.  He  was  a  Burmanized  Shan  who  lived  at 
Maulmain.  Being  a  man  of  some  literar}^  reputation, 
he  was  employed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Stilson  to  whom  the 
preparation  of  the  second  edition  of  the  Burman 
hymn  book  had  been  committed,  because  it  was  sup^ 
posed  that  he  was  familiar  with  Burman  poetry.  In 
many  cases,  Mr.  Stilson  gave  the  ideas  of  the  hymns 
for  Shway  Bwin  to  put  into  form  and  then  revised  and 
edited  his  work.  The  hymns  are  somewhat  mechani-r 
cal.  Shway  Bwin  was  somewhat  of  a  time-server  and 
for  a  while  went  over  to  the  Romanists.  Subsequent^ 
ly  he  professed  repentance  and  sought  to  be  restored 
to  the  church,  but  he  never  regained  the  full  confi- 
dence of  his  brethren.  He  died  more  than  twenty 
years  ago. 

MouNG  Oui^G  Mix  composed  fourteen  original 
hymns  of  considerable  merit.  He  was  a  Peguan  by 
race,  and  was  born  in  1803.  His  conversion  was  due 
to  Mrs.  Wade.  Noticing  a  strange  foreign  lady  talk- 
ing in  a  zayat,  he  went  to  listen  to  her  words,  and 
subsequently  accepted  Christianity.  He  was  a  staid, 
faithful  and  true  man.  Although  he  was  never  bril- 
liant, he  was  a  man  to  be  depended  on.  He  was  many 
years  a  preacher  at  Amherst,  and  was  ordained  pastor 
of  the  cliurch  in  that  place,  April  21,  1870.  He  died 
June  14,  1878. 

Four  hymns  are  marked  Inwa,  i.e.  Ava.  These 
hymns  have  sometimes  been  attributed  to  a  Burman 
Christian,  but  it  appears  that  Rev.  Mr.  Simons  brought 
these  hymns  from  Ava  when  that  station  was  aban- 
doned after  the  usurpation  of  the  throne  by  Tharra- 
waddy.     One    of  the  hymns  Mr.  Simons  assigned  to 


600  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS 

Dr.  Kincaid  as  author.  The  other  three  were  the 
joint  work  of  Kincaid,  Stilson  and  their  wives.  The 
hymns  are  imperfect  in  metre  and  hard  in  style. 

MouxG  SiiWAY  MouNG  was  the  author  of  two 
hymns.  He  was  a  Shan  by  race,  but  passed  as  a  Bur- 
man.  He  visited  America  with  Dr.  Wade.  Some- 
time after  his  return  to  Burma  he  fell  into  grievous 
sin  and  was  excluded  from  the  church,  but  after  pro- 
fessing penitence  for  his  transgression  he  was  restored 
to  church  fellowship.  He  died  about  fifteen  years 
ago. 

Shway  Doke,  the  composer  of  two  hymns,  was  a 
Burman  scholar  of  some  repute.  He  and  Ko  En  were 
the  principal  assistants  of  Dr.  Judson  in  his  transla- 
tion of  the  Bible  into  Burman.  He  also  helped  Dr. 
Stevens  in  work  upon  the  Burman  Concordance. 
During  the  second  Anglo-Burman  w\ar,  he  was  em- 
ployed by  Commodore  Lambert  to  put  his  official 
dispatches  into  elegant  Burman.  He  became  an 
ordained  preacher,  and  dying,  about  1863,  left  behind 
him  the  memory  of  a  good  and  able  man. 

Two  hymns  were  written  by  Moung  Kyau,  born  in 
1841,  who  went  to  America  and  received  an  educa- 
tion. Returnino;  to  Burma,  he  eno;au:ed  in  mission 
work  for  a  time,  in  connection  with  Rev.  J.  R.  Has- 
well  of  Maulmain.  Subsequently  he  entered  the 
service  of  government  as  a  school  teacher.  He  died 
of  consumption  at  Henzada  in  1883. 

The  only  native  female  who  has  written  any  hymns 
is  Mall  Hnindan  of  Prome.  Before  coming;  in  contact 
with  Christianity  she  and  her  family  became  the 
disciples  of  a  Paramat  leader  and  rejected  the  worship 
of  idols  as  futile.  Her  conversion  was  due  to  the 
second  Mrs.  Kincaid  whom  she  met  while  that  lady 
was  giving  tracts  to  a  gathering  of  people  and  accom- 
panjdng  the  gift  with  words  of  Christian  truth.  She 
was  ba]itized  by  Dr.  Kincaid  in  1854.  At  one  time 
she  taught  a  mission  school  at  Prome.     For  very  many 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  601 

years,  she  has  been  a  Bible  woman.  She  is  a  woman 
of  about  seventy  years  of  age  and  has  evinced  con- 
siderable ability.  She  has  always  borne  the  reputa- 
tion of  a  substantial  Christian  character. 

MouNG  SiiAWLOO,  M.D.,  a  native  of  Maulmain,  has 
translated  one  hymn.  He  was  educated  in  America 
at  the  same  time  as  Moung  Kyau  and  took  a  medical 
deo;ree.  On  his  return  to  Burma  he  was  encrao-ed  in 
mission  work  for  a  while.  Latterly  he  has  given 
himself  to  the  practice  of  medicine.  He  resides  at 
Maulmain,  and  is  about  forty  years  old. 

One  hymn,  of  no  merit,  was  composed  by  Kev. 
Thahdway.  For  a  time  he  was  employed  as  a  preacher 
at  Yandoon.  Subsequently  he  was  ordained  as  pastor 
of  the  Rangoon  Burman  Baptist  church,  but  embrac- 
ing views  not  held  by  the  majority  of  the  church,  and 
persisting  in  preaching  them,  to  the  serious  division  of 
the  church,  he  was  excluded.  He  is  now  the  leader 
of  a  small  church  Avhich  adheres  to  extreme  premil- 
lenial  doctrine  and  favors  Plymouthism. 

Moung  Lugyee  is  the  author  of  one  hymn.  His 
parents  were  originally  from  Amerapoora.  He  was 
baptized  at  Shwaydoung  about  1873.  He  is  a  teacher 
in  government  lay  schools,  and  at  present  is  in  the 
Bassein  district. 

Moses  Taylor  has  translated  several  hymns,  one  of 
which  appears  in  the  Barman  hymn  book.  He  was  a 
young  Burman  with  a  slight  trace  of  foreign  blood, 
the  son  of  Ko  Shway  A.,  and  was  born  April  16,  1853. 
He  was  an  ordained  pastor  of  the  Maulmain  Burman 
Baptist  church.  Very  suddenly  he  was  cut  off  by 
cholera,  May  14,  1877. 

A  volume  containing  more  than  two  hundred  of 
Sankey's  songs  and  solos,  translated  into  Burman,  has 
been  published.  A  few  of  the  translations  are  by 
missionaries  already  mentioned.  The  most  of  the 
hymns  have  been  translated  by  Ah  Sow  (born  July 
12,    1863),  and   Ah   Syoo  (born  May  21,  1861),  two 


602  BAPTIST  HYMIf  WRITERS 

brothers  of  Chinese  extraction  on  their  father's  side. 
Tliey  are  the  sons  of  Avon,  who  has  been  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Mauhnain  Biirman  church  for  many 
years.  These  two  young  men  have  received  a  very 
good  EngUsh  education  in  the  province,  and  are 
emploj'ed  as  teachers  in  the  Mauhnain  Burman  boys' 
school  connected  with  the  mission.  Their  translations 
are  very  creditable,  but  the  peculiar  metres  of  many 
of  the  iiymns  render  the  work  of  turning  them  into 
Burman  very  difficult.  Ah  Syoo  is  now  the  head 
teacher  in  the  boys'  school  at  Maulmain. 

SGAU   KAREN    HYMN    WEITERS. 

Mes.  Calista  Vinton  is  the  largest  contributor  to 
the  Sgau  Karen  hymn  book.  Of  the  four  hundred 
and  forty-two  hymns  which  it  contains,  two  hundred 
and  sixteen  are  attributed  to  her.  Although  only 
thirty-four  of  these  hymns  are  marked  as  translations, 
most  of  the  remaining  one  hundred  and  eighty-two 
are  adaptations  of  English  hymns.  Her  father's  name 
was  Holman.  She  was  born  at  Union,  Conn.,  in  1809. 
After  her  marriage  with  Rev.  Justus  H.  Vinton,  she 
sailed  with  her  husband  from  Boston,  for  Burma,  July 
3,  1834.  Her  death  occurred  in  1865.  She  was  a 
woman  of  great  energy  of  character,  and  indefatiga- 
ble in  her  labors  for  the  Karens.  After  her  husband's 
death  in  1858,  she  guided  the  large  Rangoon  Sgau 
Karen  mission  with  great  success. 

Her  numerous  hymns  are  smooth  and  flowing  in 
style,  and  she  has  the  honor  of  bearing  much  the 
same  relation  to  Karen  hymnody  as  Watts  does  to 
English  hymnody.  She  could  not  sing  and  her  son 
says,  that  in  the  preparation  of  her  hymns,  she  some- 
times failed  to  appreciate  and  employ  the  proper 
quantity  demanded  by  the  metre  of  the  verse  in  which 
she  was  writing.  Her  husband,  however,  had  a  deli- 
cately sensitive  musical  ear,  which  led  him  to  detect 
immediately  any   error  in   rhythm.     Defects    of  this 


BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS  603 

kind  were  corrected  by  her  with  great  facility.  She 
used  to  attribute  much  of  her  ease  in  versification  to 
an  exercise  enforced  upon  her  in  her  school  days,  by 
which  she  was  made  to  turn  a  sentence  into  as  many 
ways  of  expression  as  w^ere  possible  and  yet  allow  the 
retention  of  the  idea,  but  she  unquestionably  had  a 
large  natural  talent  for  hymn  writing.  Beside  her 
hymns  which  appear  in  the  hymn  book,  she  was  the 
author  of  many  vmpublished  ones,  which  still  exist  in 
manuscript. 

Her  son,  Rev.  J.  B.  Vinton,  d.d.,  contributed  sixty 
hymns  to  the  Sgau  Karen  hymn  book,  of  which 
forty-eight  are  marked  as  translations.  He  Avas  born 
in  1840,  and  after  completing  his  education  at  Madi- 
son University,  N.  Y.,  joined  the  Rangoon  Sgau  Karen 
mission,  which  had  received  so  much  labor  from  his 
parents.  The  Sgau  Karen  was  a  vernacular  to  him, 
and  he  used  it  with  perfect  fluency  and  great  skill. 
Dr.  Vinton  died  at  Rangoon,  June  23,  1887. 

Fifty-four  hymns,  of  which  forty-five  are  marked  as 
translations,  are  from  the  pen  of  Rev.  B.  C.  Thomas, 
who  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  educated  at 
Brown  University  and  Newton  Theological  Institu- 
tion. He  arrived  at  Tavoy,  Burma,  May,  1851,  but 
the  principal  part  of  his  devoted  life  was  spent  at 
Henzada  wdiither  he  removed  after  the  annexation  of 
Pegu  province.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  prosper- 
ous Sgau  Karen  mission  in  that  district.  He  died  in 
New  York  City,  June  10,  1868,  four  days  after  his 
arrival  in  his  native  land,  and  was  buried  at  Newton 
Centre,  Mass.  He  was  a  man  of  rare  piety,  and  his 
pure,  sweet  and  zealously  consecrated  life  was  a  bene- 
diction to  all  who  knew  him.  His  style  is  easy  and  the 
rhythm  generally  pleasing  to  the  ear. 

Rev.  i).  A.  W.  Smith,  d.d.,  son  of  Rev.  S.  F.  Smith, 
D.D.,  of  Newton  Centre,  Mass.,  inherits  some  of  his 
father's  poetic  ability.  He  has  furnished  forty-one 
hymns,  of  which  thirty-four  are  marked  as  translated. 


604  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

He  is  the  author  of  the  original  hymn  sung  at  the 
dedication  of  the  Ko  Thah  Bju  Memorial  Hall  at 
Bassein.  His  birth  took  place  at  Waterville,  Me., 
June  18,  1840.  He  was  educated  at  Harvard  Univer- 
sity, and  Newton  Theological  Institution.  At  one  time 
he  had  charge  of  the  Henzada  Sgau  Karen  mission, 
but  is  now  president  of  the  Rangoon  Karen  Theologi- 
cal Seminary.  Much  valuable  Christian  Karen  litera- 
ture has  come  from  his  pen.  He  shares  with  Mr. 
Thomas  and  Dr.  Vinton  the  honor  of  translating  some 
of  the  most  beautiful  and  precious  hymns  of  the 
English  language  into  Karen. 

Nine  hymns,  of  which  three  are  marked  as  transla- 
tions, are  the  w^ork  of  Rev.  E.  B.  Cross,  d.d.  He  was 
born  at  Georgetown,  N.  Y.,  June  11, 1814,  was  educated 
at  Hamilton  Literary  and  Theological  Institution,  and 
sailed  for  Burma,  October  30,  1844.  His  first  station 
was  at  Tavoy,  but  in  1861,  he  removed  to  Toungoo, 
where  he  has  made  his  home  to  the  present  time.  He 
has  been  a  voluminous  writer  in  Karen  on  religious 
and  mathematical  subjects,  and  has  published  a  Karen 
translation  of  a  Bible  dictionary,  and  some  commen- 
taries in  that  language.  He  has  also  given  much  time 
to  the  revision  of  the  Karen  New  Testament. 

Rev.  Francis  Mason,  d.d.,  was  the  author  of  many 
hymns,  only  nine  of  which  have  been  preserved  in 
the  Sgau  Karen  hymn  book.  He  also  compiled  a 
volume  of  hymns  in  the  Bghai  Karen  dialect  wdiich 
was  used  until  recently  in  the  Bghai  churches.  Sev- 
eral Burman  hymns  composed  by  him  are  found  in 
the  Burman  hymn  book.  This  versatile  man  was 
born  in  Yorkshire,  but  emigrating  to  America  in  his 
youth,  he  was  educated  at  Newton  Theological  Institu- 
tion. He  sailed  from  Boston,  May  24,  1830.  His  life 
was  spent  in  Tavoy,  until  1853,  wdien  he  went  to 
Toungoo,  to  open  a  mission  for  the  Karens,  upon  the 
mountains  of  that  district.  He  was  the  translator  of 
the  Karen  Bible.     He  was  an  able  linguist,  and  pub- 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  605 

lishecl  works  in  Burman  and  Pali  as  well  as  Karen. 
His  "  Burniah, "  lately  edited  and  enlarged  by  Theo- 
bald, is  still  the  standard  work  on  the  ethnology, 
geology,  fanna,  and  flora  of  the  country  whose  name 
it  bears.     He  died  at  Rangoon  March  3,  1874. 

His  hymns  are  written  in  the  style  of  native  Karen 
poetry,  whose  characteristics  he  was  very  successful 
in  reproducing.  Each  line  consists  of  seven  syllables. 
The  thought  is  expressed  in  couplets,  resembling  the 
parallelism  of  Hebrew  poetry.  In  many  cases  the 
second  line  of  the  couplet  differs  from  the  first  line 
only  in  a  slight  change  of  the  closing  words.  It  is 
impossible  to  sing  these  hymns  to  western  tunes. 
They  can  be  fitly  used  only  with  the  plaintive,  weird, 
strangely  sweet,  native  Karen  music.  Hence  at  the 
last  revision  of  the  hymn  book  with  Dr.  Mason's 
consent,  many  of  his  hymns  were  replaced  by  those 
which  could  be  sung  to  western  tunes. 

Four  hymns  are  the  work  of  Mrs.  Miranda  Vinton 
Harris,  of  which  one  is  marked  as  a  translation.  She 
was  the  sister  of  Rev.  J.  H.  Vinton,  and  the  second 
wife  of  Rev.  Norman  Harris.  Her  birth  took  place 
at  Wellington,  Conn.,  April  10,  1819.  After  fifteen 
years  service  in  Burma,  she  died  at  Shwaygyeen,  Sep- 
tember 9,  1856.  Her  life  was  heartily  devoted  to 
Christ,  and  her  missionary  service  very  effective. 
Her  memory  is  still  warmly  cherished  by  the  Karens. 
The  poetic  style  of  her  hymns  is  beautiful.  One 
hvmn,  based  on  the  Enurlish  translation  of  Psalm 
cxxxix  "  0  Lord,  thou  hast  searched,"  etc.,  is  used  with 
great  frequency  in  divine  worship. 

Mrs.  H.  M.  (Norris)  Armstrong-  has  furnished  two 
hymns.  After  spending  several  years  in  the  Karen 
mission,  she  married  Rev.  W.  F.  Armstrong  of  the 
Maritime  Provinces,  and  entered  the  Telugu  mission 
sustained  by  the  Baptists  of  those  provinces.  She  is 
now  engaged  with  her  husband  in  English  and  Telugu 
work  at  Maulmain,  Burma. 


606  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Rev.  W.  F.  Thomas,  son  of  Rev.  B.  C.  Thomas, 
Rev.  A.  Banker,  d.d.,  and  Mrs.  J.  E.  Hirris  have  each 
furnished  the  translation  of  one  English  hymn.  Rev. 
Mr.  Thomas  was  educated  at  Brown  University  and 
Newton  Tlieological  Institution.  He  arrived  in 
Burma  in  1880,  and  took  charge  of  the  Henzada  Sgau 
Karen  mission  which  was  founded  by  his  father.  He 
speaks  Karen  and  Burman  as  vernaculars,  and  resem- 
bles his  father  in  character,  energy  and  consecrated 
service.  Dr.  Bunker  was  born  in  1836,  educated  at 
Vfaterville  Colleo;e  and  Newton  Theoloi»:ical  Institu- 
tion,  and  sailed  for  Burma  in  1865.  He  has  spent  his 
time  in  arduous  and  successful  service  in  the  northern 
half  of  the  Toungoo  Karen  mountains.  Mrs.  Harris' 
home  now  is  in  Hamilton,  N.  Y. 

There  are  six  native  Karen  hymn  writers.  Moung 
Loonee,  who  is  about  thirty-eight  years  old,  was  care- 
fully educated  under  the  care  of  the  Yintons  and 
speaks  English  fluently.  He  is  a  medal  scholar  in  law, 
and  is  an  advocate  in  Rano-oon.  No  other  Karen  has 
ever  undertaken  the  translation  of  English  hymns 
with  success.  Twelve  of  his  sixteen  hymns  are 
marked  as  translations.  The  metre  and  general  char- 
acter of  these  hymns  are  reproduced  in  Karen  in  an 
excellent  manner. 

Sau  Quala  is  the  author  of  nine  hymns.  His 
history  is  exceedingly  interesting.  He  has  been 
called  the  second  Karen  apostle.  His  conversion  was 
due  to  the  first  sermon  of  Ko  Thah  Byu,  the  first 
Karen  apostle.  He  was  ordained  in  1846,  and  in 
December,  1853,  he  went  to  Toungoo,  where  he 
ranged  the  mountains  and  jDreached  the  gospel. 
Eighteen  hundred  and  sixty  were  baptized  in  one  year 
and  nine  months,  and  twenty-eight  churches  were 
organized.  After  more  than  ten  years'  labor  on  the 
Karen  mountains,  he  returned  to  Tavoy,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  which  was  at  one  time 
clouded  by  a  fall   into    sin.     He   died   in  1880,  at   a 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  607 

goodly  age.  His  hymns  are  original  and  are  written 
in  the  pure,  native  Karen  style  which  was  adopted  by 
Dr.  Mason  for  his  hymns. 

Sau  Eh  Hpau  wrote  two  hymns.  According  to 
Rev.  Dr.  Vinton,  he  was  a  Maulmain  Karen  preacher. 
A  Karen  of  a  similar  name  lived  at  Mergui  at  one 
time,  and  was  the  anthor  of  a  number  of  hymns 
which  the  native  Christians  refused  to  sing  after  his 
apostasy. 

Sau  Pa  La,  the  author  of  one  hymn,  was  a  preacher 
in  the  Maulmain  district,  and  died  about  1864.  He 
was  spiritually  awakened  several  years  before  hearing 
of  Christianity.  It  is  said  that  on  his  first  visit  to  Dr. 
Judson  he  remained  all  day  as  an  inquirer,  listening 
intently  to  the  truth,  and  having  earnestly  professed  his 
belief  in  it  was  baptized  at  the  close  of  the  day  by 
the  missionary.  Sau  Pa  La  wrote  a  long  poem  which 
was  printed  in  a  book  by  itself.  It  gives  a  history  of 
the  Gospel,  and  very  many  of  the  hymns  in  Dr. 
Mason's  Karen  hymn  book  were  taken  from  this  poem. 

Sau  Sa  Theu,  also  called  Chetthamg,  was  the  author 
of  a  hymn.  He  visited  America  with  Dr.  Wade.  On 
his  return  to  Burma,  he  eventually  became  a  govern- 
ment official  of  low  rank  and  died  in  1852.  These 
three  hymn  writers  adhered  to  the  native  Karen  style 
of  poetry. 

Kah  Cher  the  writer  of  one  hymn  is  a  native  of 
Shwaygyeen.  He  was  educated  in  America  and  since 
his  return  to  Burma  has  been  engaged  in  quiet  and 
effective  mission  and  school  work  at  Shwaygyeen. 
He  is  about  thirty-eight  years  old. 

PGHO    KAREN"    HYMJfS. 

Rev.  D.  L.  Bray  ton  is  the  principal  writer  and 
translator  of  hymns  in  the  Pgho  Kareu  hymn  book. 
He  was  born  in  Vermont,  educated  at  Brown  Univer- 
sity, and  sailed  for  Burma,  October  28,  1837.  He  has 
translated  the  Bible  into  Pgho  Karen  and  has   been 


608  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

the  antlior  of  most  of  the  Christian  literature  in  that 
lanyruao-e. 

o        ~ 

SIIAISr    HYMNS. 

Of  the  eighty-seven  hj'^mns  in  the  Shan  hymn  book, 
seventy-nine  have  been  prepared  by  Rev.  J.  N.  Gush- 
ing, D.D.  Of  these  four  are  original  hymns.  The 
others  are  translations  or  adaptations  of  English 
hymns.  Dr.  Gushing  was  born  in  Attleborough,  Mass., 
May  4,  1840.  He  was  graduated  in  18G2,  at  Brown 
University,  and  at  Newton  Theological  Institution  in 
1865.  Two  years,  1866,  and  1867,  he  spent  a  Newton 
as  instructor  in  Hebrew.  He  then  entered  the  service 
of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union,  and  was 
assigned  to  Burma.  His  principal  work  has  been  in 
connection  Avith  the  Shan  mission.  He  has  translated 
the  Scriptures  into  the  Shan  language,  and  in  many 
ways  done  much  to  advance  the  work  of  the  Mission- 
ary Union  in  Burma.  In  recognition  of  his  scholarly 
worth  Brown  University,  in  1881,  conferred  upon  him 
the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity. 

One  hymn  was  translated  by  Rev.  F.  H.  Eveleth. 
He  was  born  in  Durham,  Me.,  March  21,  1843,  was 
graduated  at  Golby  University  in  1870,  and  at  Newton 
Theological  Institution  in  1873.  He  arrived  in  Burma, 
in  the  spring  of  1874,  and  has  performed  a  valuable 
service  as  a  missionary  of  the  Union. 

Three  hymns  were  prepared  by  Shway  Wa,  who  is 
a  native  of  the  principality  of  Mone.  For  a  number 
of  years  he  was  the  chief  scribe  of  the  Saubwa  of 
Theinnee.  He  is  a  man  about  thirty-five  years  old 
and  is  a  good  Shan  scholar.  He  has  been  the  princi- 
pal native  assistant  of  Dr.  Gushing  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  his  translation  of  the  Scriptures  into  Shan. 
Shway  Wa  was  baptized  in  1882,  and  has  thus  far  led 
a  consistent  Ghristian  life.  During  Dr.  Gushing's 
absence  in  America,  Shway  Wa  acted  as  chief  Shan 
interpreter  in  connection  with  the  English   occupation 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  609 

of  Upper  Burma.  Recently,  much  against  the  wishes 
of  EngUsh  officials  he  has  voluntarily  resigned  his 
position  as  interpreter,  and  a  salary  of  one  hundred 
rupees  a  month,  to  assist  in  the  revision  of  the  Shan 
Scriptures  at  a  salary  of  thirty  rupees  a  month. 

Two  hymns  by  Toonla  are  translations  of  Burman 
hymns.  He  was  born  at  Toungoo  after  his  parents 
had  immigrated  thither  from  Shanland.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  Shan  mission  school,  and  was  baptized  in 
1871.  He  is  about  thirty  years  old,  and  has  been  a 
preacher,  although  not  always  a  consistent  Christian. 
He  is  now  in  the  employ  of  the  English  government 
as  an  interpreter. 

Saug  Myat,  who  prepared  a  translation  of  two 
Burman  hymns,  was  a  native  of  Mone.  He  was  a  man 
of  some  natural  ability,  but  before  the  close  of  his 
life  fell  into  grievous  sin.  Professing  penitence  he 
died  in  1835,  at  about  the  age  of  thirty-five  years. 
39 


610  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS  IN  ASSAM. 


The  Assamese  are  not  a  musical  people,  but  our 
missionaries  from  the  beginning  of  their  labors  among 
them  have  sought  to  cultivate  in  the  converts  a  love 
for  Christian  song.  The  first  Assamese  hymn  book, 
compiled  by  Dr.  N.  Brown,  was  printed  in  1845.  A 
revised  and  enlarged  edition,  containing  one  hundred 
and  eighty-two  hymns,  was  published  in  1850.  A 
third  edition,  containing  two  hundred  and  seventy- 
nine  hymns,  followed  in  1860.  The  last  edition, 
enlarged  to  three  hundred  and  fifty-two  hymns,  and 
thirty-two  Sunday-school  hymns  in  a  supplement,  was 
published  in  1873.  Rev.  Nathan  Brown,  d.d.,  whose 
early  missionary  life  was  spent  in  Assam,  — he  reached 
Assam  in  March,  1836,  and  remained  there  until  1855 
—  contributed  to  the  Assamese  hymn  book  eighty 
hymns,  viz.,  thirty-two  originals  and  forty-eight  trans- 
lations. Many  of  Dr.  Brown's  hymns  are  still  great 
favorites  with  the  Assamese,  especially  the  two  hymns 
which  he  gave  to  the  Burmese, 

Guide  me,  O  thou  great  Jehovah, 

and 

The  clay  is  past  and  gone, 

also  the  following, 

"  Come,  Holy  Spirit,  heavenly  Dove," 
"  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name," 
"  Arise,  my  soul,  arise." 

Dr.  Brown's  translation  of 

Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep, 

is  still  in  use  by  the  Assamese  children. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  611 

Rev.  Miles  Bronson,  d.d.,  who  reached  Assam  a  little 
more  than  a  year  later  than  Dr.  Brown,  and  settled  at 
Gowahati,  contributed  to  the  Assamese  hymn  book 
two  or  three  original  hymns,  and  about  eighteen  trans- 
lations, among  them  some  of  the  more  recent  English 
hymns,  as  "  Hold  the  fort,"  and  "  He  leadeth  me." 

Rev.  William  Ward,  who  became  a  missionary  to 
Assam  in  1851,  brought  out  the  edition  of  1860,  and 
added  scores  of  original  and  translated  hymns. 
Among  them  are  the  following  : 

"  In  the  cross  of  Christ  I  glory," 

"  I  'm  not  ashamed  to  own  my  Lord," 

"  Come,  thou  fount  of  every  blessinjx," 

"  Kearer,  my  God,  to  thee," 

"  Jesus,  I  my  cross  have  taken," 

"  When  I  can  read  my  title  clear," 

*'  Today,  the  Savior  calls." 

Among  other  contributors  are  the  following  :  Rev. 
C.  F.  Tolman,  Maria  Bronson  Cotes,  Rev.  A.  H.  Dan- 
forth  and  Oliver  T.  Cutter.     Mr.  Danforth  translated 

Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 
and  Mr.  Cutter 

There  is  a  happy  land. 

Of  the  native  hymn  writers  Nidhi  Levi  Farwell 
ranks  first.  He  was  the  first  Assamese  convert,  and 
was  baptized  by  Dr.  Bronson,  June  13,  1841.  He  was 
for  many  years  the  chief  assistant  in  the  mission  press 
work.  He  wrote  one  hundred  and  thirteen  hymns,  o£ 
which  only  six  or  seven  were  translations.  His  wife, 
Abby,  wrote  one  hymn,  and  Mrs.  Bronson's  school  girl, 
Sophia,  also  one  "hymn.  Batiram  Dass  one  of  the 
early  converts,  and  afterward  a  preacher,  wrote 
twenty  h3'mns. 


612  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Eight  liymns  in  the  collection  were  taken  from  the 
Bengali  hymns  of  Carey  and  Marshman.  Thirty-three 
were  contributed  by  the  preachers  pundits,  native 
Christians  of  Sibsagor,  Nowgong  and  Gowahati. 

A  revision  of  the  Assamese  hymn  book  is  already 
called  for,  and  Rev.  P.  H.  Moore  of  Nowgong  has 
undertaken  the  work.  It  will  contain  about  fifty  new 
hymns  in  Assamese.  These  are  mostly  translations 
from  English  hymns  contributed  by  Assamese  Chris- 
tians, Sardoka,  Kandura,  and  others  j  also  by  some  of 
the  missionaries. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  613 

BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THER  HYMNS  IN  CHINA. 


Under  date  of  February  8,  1888,  Rev.  S.  B.  Par- 
tridge, of  Swatow,  where  he  has  been  stationed  since 
1873,  as  a  missionary  of  the  American  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Union,  sent  me  a  package  of  hymn  books  in 
Chinese.  The  books  were  numbered  one,  two,  three, 
four.  In  a  letter  which  accompanied  the  package,  Mr. 
Partridge  wrote  :  "  Fifteen  years  ago  we  were  using  No. 
1,  which  had  been  in  use  some  years.  It  was  printed 
from  Avooden  blocks.  I  cannot  tell  by  whom  the 
hymns  were  written,  nor  by  whom  the  book  was  com- 
piled. Dr.  Ashmore  collected  a  number  of  hymns 
from  various  sources,  which  in  1875,  I  arranged,  and 
to  which  I  added  a  few  and  had  No.  2  printed.  No. 
3  is  practically  the  same  as  No.  2,  but  was  changed 
by  Rev.  W.  K.  McKibben  to  adapt  it  to  the  Hakka 
dialect.  Miss  Fielde  had  a  part  of  the  same  book  put 
in  a  simple  style,  to  be  used  as  a  primer  in  teaching 
women.  About  three  years  ago,  feeling  the  need  of 
a  larger  collection  of  hymns,  we  concluded  to  adopt 
the  hymn  book  which  R.  H.  Graves,  d.d.,  had  pre- 
pared. In  order  that  we  might  have  a  few  hymns 
that  our  church  members  were  familiar  with,  I  com- 
piled a  supplement.  Two  or  three  hymns  in  the  sup- 
plement were  written  by  the  teacher  who  is  our  assis- 
tant in  the  theological  school.  Many  of  the  hymns 
in  this  supplement  are  translations,  or  adaptations,  but 
I  cannot  tell  you  by  whom  the  work  was  done.  I 
think,  however,  that  very  little  of  such  work  has  been 
done  by  Baptists,  except  what  has  been  done  by  Dr. 
Graves,  whose  hymn  book  I  consider  a  most  valuable 
addition  to  Chinese  church  literature." 


614  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

Dr.  Graves,  who  is  a  missionary  of  the  Southern 
Baptist  board  stationed  in  Canton,  published  in  1876, 
a  hymn  book  in  Chinese,  entitled  "  Songs  of  Praise  to 
the  Lord."  It  contained  about  two  hundred  and 
eighty-six  hymns,  of  which  about  twenty  were  origi- 
nal hymns  by  Dr.  Graves,  and  between  sixty  and 
seventy  were  translations,  by  Dr.  Graves,  of  familiar 
English  hymns.  The  remaining  hymns  in  the  collec- 
tion were  selections  from  other  Chinese  hymn  books, 
being  mostly  translations  of  hymns  in  the  English  and 
German  languages,  with  some  hymns  composed  by 
missionaries  and  Chinese  converts.  In  its  arrange- 
ment Dr.  Graves'  book  followed  the  arrangement  of 
the  "  Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune  Book,"  issued  by  the 
American  Baptist  Publication  Society. 

Dr.  Graves  was  born  May  29,  1833,  in  Baltimore, 
Md.,  was  graduated  at  St.  Mary's  College,  in  his  native 
city  in  1851,  and  was  baptized  by  Dr.  Richard  Fuller, 
of  whose  church  he  became  a  member,  and  under 
whom  he  studied  for  the  ministry.  He  was  ordained 
as  a  missionary  to  China  in  April,  1856,  and  reached 
Canton,  in  August  of  the  same  year.  Here,  and  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  city,  he  has  labored.  For  a  number 
of  years  past,  he  has  been  pastor  of  the  Chinese 
Baptist  church  in  Canton.  On  account  of  the  ill- 
health  of  his  wife.  Dr.  Graves  is  at  present  in  the 
United  States. 

In  a  note  written  since  his  return  to  this  country, 
Dr.  Graves  says :  "  Dr.  Hartwell  informs  me  that  a 
small  collection  of  hymns,  was  published  in  the 
Shanghai  colloquial  dialect  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Cabaniss  of 
the  Southern  Baptist  mission,  also  a  larger  one  by  Rev. 
T.  P.  Crawford  of  the  same  mission,  and  this,  I  am 
informed,  has  been  enlarged  by  Rev.  Dr.  M.  T.  Yates. 
Our  English  Baptist  brethren  have  a  collection,  I 
believe,  in  Mandarin  colloquial." 

Rev.  J.  R.  Goddard,  who  has  been  a  missionary  of 
the   American  Baptist   Missionary    Union   at   Ningpo 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  615 

since  1867,  writes  under  date  of  January  23,  1888  : 
"  Here  at  Ningpo,  and  in  the  stations  connected  with 
the  eastern  China  mission,  we  use  a  hymn  book  pre- 
pared about  twenty-five  years  ago,  and  revised  three 
or  four  times  since,  principally  by  members  of  the 
American  Presbyterian  mission.  It  contains  transla- 
tions and  original  hymns  by  members  of  all  the  mis- 
sions here.  The  contributions  from  Baptist  sources, 
however,  are  very  few.  Dr.  Knowlton  prepared  three 
translations,  one  of  the  hymn  beginning,  '  0  Lord, 
thy  perfect  word,'  another,  '  The  morning  light  is 
breaking,'  and  the  third,  '  Today,  the  Savior  calls.' 
S.  P.  Barchet,  m.d.,  at  present  in  connection  with  our 
mission,  made  a  translation  of  the  hymn,  '  Jesus  is  our 
Shepherd.'  These  are  all  the  Baptist  contributions." 
A  small  Chinese  hymn  book  was  pul^lished  in  Bangkok 
in  1838.  The  first  hymn  in  the  collection  was  com- 
posed, it  is  believed,  by  Siang,  a  Chinese  preacher  at 
Bangkok.  Several  editions  of  this  small  book  have 
been  printed,  the  last  in  1881,  containing  one  hundred 
and  thirty-five  hymns  and  six  forms  of  prayer,  the 
first  of  which  is  the  Lord's  prayer. 

Rev.  Fung  Chek,  who  is  now  pastor  of  the  Chinese 
Baptist  church  in  Portland,  Oregon,  has  published  a 
collection  of  hymns  consisting  of  translations  by  him- 
self of  some  of  the  hymns  in  "  Gospel  Hymns  "  and 
some  familiar  Sunday-school  hymns,  together  with  five 
or  six  hymns  of  his  own.  Fung  Chek  is  a  native  of 
a  village  near  Canton,  where  he  was  baptized  in  1871. 
He  spent. several  years  in  California,  and  was  ordained 
in  1880,  in  Portland,  Oregon. 

The  following  is  a  literal  translation  of  one  of  Dr. 
Graves'  hymns,  written  to  the  tune  of  "  Happy  Land." 
It  is  entitled  "  The  Baptism  of  Jesus." 

Jesus  left  Galilee 
And  came  to  the  river  Jordan. 
He  did  not  tliink  100  li  too  far. 
What  was  his  object? 


616  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

He  said  "I  must  be  baptized, 
And  fulfil  all  righteousness. 
Thus  he  showed  his  humility 
And  bowed  beneath  the  wave. 

When  he  was  baptized  he  rose  from  the  water; 

The  heavens  were  opened  to  him. 

He  saw  the  Spirit  like  a  dove 

Descending  from  heaven; 

A  voice  came  from  heaven  saying, 

"  This  is  the  Son  of  my  eternal  love; 

He  always  does  what  pleases  me." 

He  saves  men  from  woe. 

We  imitate  the  Lord  Jesus, 

And  walk  in  his  steps. 

We  should  follow  our  Lord's  example, 

And  not  dare  to  disobey. 

May  God  give  us  his  Holy  Spirit 

To  fill  our  liearts  with  joy  and  peace. 

That  we  may  always  glorify  God, 

May  he  daily  give  us  strength. 

Perhaps  the  world  may  persecute, 

Perhaps  friends  renounce  us. 

Day  by  day  ridicule  and  obstruct  us, 

And  despise  our  names; 

But  if  God  is  pleased  with  us 

Why  need  we  fear  the  world's  words. 

Tho'  our  bodies  may  have  to  shed  their  blood 

Our  souls  will  be  filled  with  peace. 

The  following  is  a  translation  of  an  original  hymn 
by  Rev.  Fung  Chek.  It  is  entitled  "  The  Uncertainty 
of  Earthly  Things  :" 

Earthly  things  are  uncertain  as  the  waves; 
Now  comes  gladness,  then  comes  sadness. 
Do  not  say  that  joy  is  true  joy; 
And  true  grief  is  not  unending  grief. 

Grief  usually  proceeds  from  joy. 
In  the  midst  of  joy  there  is  always  a  sting  of  grief. 
All  comes  from  our  first  parents  breaking  God's  law; 
After  generations  became  the  slaves  of  sin. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  617 

Thanks  to  God's  helpful  grace, 
Who  sent  his  Son  to  bear  our  crimes, 
To  deliver  us  from  sin  and  to  save  us, 
That  our  souls  may  dwell  in  bliss. 

When  our  souls  are  in  heaven  at  God's  side, 
Contrition  and  sighs  will  all  be  over; 
Our  joyful  songs  will  never  cease 
Of  praise  to  the  Savior's  bleeding  love. 


618  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 


BAPTIST   HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS  IN  JAPAN. 


Peoperly  speaking  Baptists  in  Japan  have  had 
three  hymn  books.  The  first,  in  Roman  characters 
and  kata  kana,  or  square  letters  in  parallel  lines,  was 
published  about  the  year  1874.  The  second,  in  Roman 
characters  and  hira  gana,  the  script  or  running  hand 
(in  separate  books),  was  published  in  1876.  The  third  in 
hira  gana  (only  the  page  captions,  names  of  tunes,  etc., 
being  in"  the  Roman  characters)  was  published  in  part 
in  1884,  or  1885,  but  was  not  completed  until  after  the 
death  of  Dr.  Nathan  Brown  in  1886.  It  makes  a 
volume  of  three  hundred  and  eighteen  pages.  In  the 
preface  Rev.  Albert  A.  Bennett  says  : 

"  Should  any  honor  be  attached  to  the  preparation 
of  the  present  hymn  book,  it  belongs  to  the  late  Dr. 
Nathan  Brown.  Years  ago,  when  it  was  commonly 
said  that  '  the  Japanese  cannot  sing,'  he  commenced 
work  on  hymns  for  them,  and  his  rendering  of  the 
Lord's  Prayer  was  probably  the  first  Christian  hymn 
in  their  language.  The  first  hymn  book  that  he  pub- 
lished, was  a  very  modest  little  volume,  but  it  from 
time  to  time  gave  place  to  larger  ones,  and  the  present 
edition  is  supposed  to  be  the  largest  collection  of  Jap- 
anese hymns  yet  published.  On  this,  Dr.  Brown 
labored  till  his  palsied  hand  could  no  longer  hold  a 
pen."  One  day,  while  at  work  on  his  Japanese  hymn 
book.  Dr.  Brown  remarked,  "  I  have  got  as  far  as  the 
hymns  on  heaven."  It  was  a  fitting  time  for  the  aged 
saint  to  bring  his  labors  to  an  end,  and  closing  a  long 
and  useful  life  he  passed  over  into  the  celestial 
country.     For  a  sketch  of  his  life  see  pages  319  —  322. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  619 

"  In  some  cases,"  says  Mr.  Bennett  in  his  reference 
to  this  hymn  book,  "  an  initial  letter  has  been  affixed 
to  indicate  the  author's  name,  or  the  book  from  which 
the  hj^mn  was  taken.  Dr.  Brown  exerted  himself  to 
ascertain  the  names  of  composers  and  translators,  but 
the  information  he  obtained  was  comparatively  meagre, 
and  it  is  feared  that  some  of  that  meagre  information 
has  been  lost." 

The  hymns  in  this  collection  are  very  largely  trans- 
lations, or  adaptations  of  well-known  English  hymns 
such  as 

"  Rock  of  Ages  cleft  for  me," 

*'  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul," 

"  jSTearer,  my  God,  to  thee," 

"  Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds," 

"  Sun  of  my  soul,  thou  Savior  dear," 

"  There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood," 

"  From  Greenland's  icy  mountains." 

The  collection  contains,  also,  quite  a  number  of  the 
familiar  "  Gospel  Hymns." 

Beside  Dr.  Brown,  who  is  credited  with  fifteen 
hymns,  the  Baptist  writers  represented  in  this  collec- 
tion are  Rev.  W.  J.  White,  English  Baptist  missionary, 
Miss  Clara  A.  Sands,  of  the  American  Baptist  Mission- 
ary Union,  and  the  following  natives  :  K.  Nakagawa, 
K.  Ikeda,  Rev.  T.  Suzuki,  Rev.  S.  Torigama,  and  Rev. 
T.  Kawakatsu. 

Mk.  White,  who  has  three  hymns  in  the  collection, 
was  born  April  19,  1848,  at  Brockhurst,  a  suburb  of 
the  ancient  town  of  Gosport,  in  the  south  of  England. 
In  1870,  he  went  to  Japan,  and  was  engaged  six  years 
in  educational  work.  In  order  to  prepare  himself  for 
missionary  work,  he  then  returned  to  England  and 
entered  the  Pastor's  College  connected  with  the  Met- 
ropolitan Tabernacle  in  London.  After  a  short  course 
of  preparatory  study,  Mr.  White    offered   himself  to 


620  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS 

the  committee  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  and 
Was  cordially  accepted  as  a  missionary  October  8,  1877. 
September  6,  1878,  he  was  designated  for  the  work  in 
Japan  at  a  meeting  held  at  Brockhurst,  and  on  the  18th, 
of  the  same  month  he  sailed  for  his  field  of  labor.  On 
his  arrival  in  Japan,  he  entered  upon  his  missionary 
career  in  Tokio,  where  he  has  since  labored  with  many 
evidences  of  the  divine  blessins;. 

Miss  Sai^ds,  represented  in  the  collection  by  five 
hymns,  was  born  in  Southport,  N.  Y.,  July  27,  1844, 
and  was  educated  in  the  Female  College  at  Oxford, 
Ohio.  In  October,  1873,  she  was  baptized  at  Sal- 
amanca. N.  Y.,  and  September  2,  1875,  she  was 
appointed  a  missionary  of  the  American  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Union  to  Japan.  She  reached  Yokohama  the 
same  year,  and  there  she  has  since  labored  with  great 
diligence  and  success. 

K.  Nakagawa,  who  has  six  hymns  in  the  collection, 
was  for  a  long  time  one  of  the  teachers  in  the  school 
connected  with  the  mission  at  Yokohama,  but  was  at 
leno;th  excluded  from  the  church  on  account  of  his 
inconsistent  walk.  He  has  recently  expressed  a  desire 
to  return,  and  it  is  hoped  that  he  may  yet  sing  again 
the  hymns  of  faith  and  hope  which  he  wrote  while  a 
member  of  the  mission. 

K.  Ikeda  has  three  hymns  in  the  collection.  He  is 
engaged  in  missionary  work  as  a  native  preacher  at 
Odawara,  and  is  an  earnest  Christian  worker. 

Rev.  T.  Suzuki,  who  has  nine  hymns  in  the  collec- 
tion, is  pastor  of  the  native  church  at  Kobe,  and 
assists  Mr.  Rees  in  his  mission  work.  He  is  an  earnest, 
prayerful  man,  and,  humanly  speaking,  was  converted 
through  hearing  a  sermon  by  the  lamented  Rev.  J. 
Hope  Arthur.  Mr.  Arthur  could  poorly  speak  the 
language  and  Mr.  Suzuki  could  poorly  understand 
what  was  said ;  but  the  Spirit  was  present  to  aid  and 
to  enlighten,  and  caused  the  listening  Japanese  to 
know  the  Word  that  became  flesh. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  621 

Rev.  S.  Torigama,  the  author  of  two  hymns  in  the 
collection,  is  the  pastor  of  the  church  at  Tokio,  and 
assists  Mr.  Fisher  in  his  work.  He  is  a  devoted  Bible 
student,  and  a  consecrated  worker. 

Rev.  T.  Kawakatsu,  was  the  earliest  of  the  Japa- 
nese ordained  Baptist  preachers,  although  the  youngest 
of  the  three.  He  was  Dr.  Brown's  assistant  in  the 
translation  of  the  New  Testament,  and  is  now  pastor 
of  several  of  the  native  churches.  He  is  an  exceed- 
ingly useful  member  of  the  mission,  and  is  greatly 
beloved  by  all  the  brethren.  He  has  eight  hymns  in 
the  collection. 

The  following  is  hymn  No.  70  in  Roman  characters  : 

Yesu  Kimi,  ten  yori  kono  yoni  kudari, 
Yudayauo  kunino  Betereliemuuizo 
Umai'eshi  tokiwa,  yadorase  tamuno 
lyemo,  nedokomo,  nanimo  nakariki. 

Makotonaru  kana,  Yesu  Kimi  tomedo 
Hitowo  tomasantote  madj^u  shiku  naritezo 
Umayano  nakani  umare  tamaishiga 
Madzushiki  samawoba  shinobi  tamayeri. 

Kano  toki  warera  Yudayani  oraba, 
Warerano  iyewo  Kimini  sasagento 
Kakaru  omoiwo  nasu  mono  araba, 
Kokorowo  akete,  Kimini  sasageyo. 

Imaya  Yesii  Kimi  iyewo  motomezu 
Kokorono  iyewo  motome  tamayeba 
Kokorowo  akete  Kimini  sasageyo, 
Kimiwa  yorokobi  kokoroni  yadoran. 


622  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 


BAPTIST   HYMN  WRITERS 

AND  THEIR  HYMNS  IN  AFRICA. 


The  missionaries  connected  with  the  EngHsh  Bap- 
tist Mission  in  Congo-land  have  a  hymn  book,  contain- 
ing about  twenty  hymns,  printed  at  the  Edwin  Wade 
Printing  Press,  Underbill  Station,  Congo  River.  Other 
hymns  have  been  prepared,  and  are  in  use,  but  only 
these  have  been  printed.  Rev.  J.  11.  Weeks,  of  San 
Salvador,  writes  :  "  We  have  nearly  forty  hymns,  but 
we  have  printed  only  those  which  we  have  repeatedly 
tested  and  found  correct.  When  a  hymn  is  first  trans- 
lated, we  use  it  at  our  stations  for  some  time,  alter  it 
if  it  is  needful  until  it  is  as  near  perfect  as  we  can  get 
it,  and  then  we  print  it."  Some  of  the  hymns  in  this 
collection  are  originals,  and  some  are  translations  of 
well-known  English  hymns.  All  have  been  prepared 
since  1880.  The  translations  in  the  collection  were 
made  by  Rev.  T.  J.  Comber,  Rev.  W.  H.  Bentley,  Rev. 
J.  H.  Weeks,  Rev.  H.  Dixon,  and  two  natives,  Kavungu 
and  Mantu.  The  original  hymns  were  composed  by 
Rev.  T.  J.  Comber,  Rev.  W.  H.  Bentley,  and  Rev.  J. 
11.  Weeks.     Among  the  translated  hymns  are 

"  What  a  friend  we  have  in  Jesus," 

"  Around  the  throne  of  God  in  heaven," 

"  Sowing  in  the  morning,  sowing  seeds  of  kindness," 

Rev.  T,  J.  Comber  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the 
Congo  mission,  entering  upon  his  work  in  1878.  Other 
members  of  his  family  have  been  engaged  in  mission 
service  in  Africa.  His  sister  died  at  Cameroons.  His 
brother,  Dr.  Comber,  at  Ngombe,  Congo.  Another 
brother  is   still   connected   with   the  Congo   mission. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  623 

Rev.  T.  J.  Comber  died  on  the  steamship  Lulu  Bohlen, 
June  27,  1887,  off  Loango,  a  French  settlement  several 
miles  north  of  Banana,  and  was  buried  at  Mayumba, 
two  hundred  miles  north  of  the  mouth  of  the  Congo. 
Among  his  last  words  were  these  : 

"  Oh  Christ,  thou  art  the  fountain, 

The  deep  spring- well  of  love; 
The  springs  of  earth  I  've  tasted  " — 

His  companion  failed  to  catch  what  followed.  Dan- 
gerously ill  with  remittent  fever,  Mr.  Comber  was 
placed  on  board  the  Lulu  Bohlen,  in  hope  that  a  sea 
voyage  would  restore  him  to  health.  But  his  work 
was  done,  and  submissively  he  yielded  to  the  Father's 
will.  With  gifts  and  graces  that  fitted  him  in  a 
marked  degree  for  successful  missionary  work,  he  per- 
formed a  service,  in  laying  the  foundation  of  the 
Congo  Mission,  that  will  long  be  remembered  in  Africa 
as  well  as  in  his  native  land. 

The  hymn  book  in  use  in  the  mission  on  the  Congo 
conducted  by  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union 
was  printed  in  London  in  the  early  part  of  1885,  by 
some  English  friends  of  Rev.  C.  E.  Ingham,  one  of 
the  oldest  Congo  missionaries.  It  contains  eighteen 
hymns.  Of  these,  eight  were  by  Henry  Craven,  six 
by  C.  H.  Harvey,  two  by  H.  J.  Petterson,  one  by  N. 
Westlind  and  one  by  C.  B.  Banks.  Most  of  these 
hymns  are  translations  of  familiar  English  hymns. 
Among  them 

"  One  there  is  above  all  others," 
Mosi  O  kala  wingi  mbote. 

"  Hark,  the  herald  angels  sing," 
Yina  zimpovi  yimbilanga. 

"  Sing  them  over  again  to  me," 
Yimbila  diaka  mambu. 

Henry  Craven  was  one  of  the  pioneer  missionaries, 
and  left  London  for  the  Congo  in  January,  1878.     He 


624  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS 

established  a  station  at  Palabala  the  same  year.  In 
1883-4,  assisted  by  J.  B.  Barfield,  he  prepared  the 
first  Ki-Kongo  grammar.  Having  suffered  much  from 
sickness,  he  took  a  trip  in  1884,  to  Kabenda  on  the 
coast,  and  north  of  Banana.  There  he  died  shortly 
after  his  arrival,  and  was  buried  in  the  little  God's 
acre  near  the  sea. 

C.  H.  Harvey  joined  the  mission  in  1880,  and  has 
proved  a  most  valuable  member  of  this  heroic  com- 
pany. He  has  labored  at  Matadi,  Palabala,  Banza 
Manteke  and  Lukungu,  where  he  is  now  stationed. 
He  possesses  a  superior  knowledge  of  the  Ki-Kongo 
language,  into  which  in  1886,  he  translated  the  Gospel 
of  Mark. 

H.  J.  Petterson  is  a  Swedish  Baptist  missionary, 
who  has  done  valuable  pioneer  service  on  the  Congo. 
He  established  the  Equator  Station.  At  present  he  is 
connected  with  the  Swedish  Baptist  mission  at  Mu- 
kimbungu. 

Nils  Westlind,  also  a  Swedish  Baptist  Missionary, 
has  translated  the  Gospel  of  John  into  the  Ki-Kongo 
language,  and  is  the  author  of  valuable  notes  on  the 
Ki-Kongo.  He,  too,  is  now  connected  with  the  Swedish 
Baptist  mission  at  Mukimbungu. 

C.  B.  Banks  accompanied  Petterson  to  Equator  Sta- 
tion from  Stanley  Pool,  and  is  now  at  this  important 
inland  station. 

Other  hymns  have  been  prepared  since  the  hymn 
book  now  in  use  was  published  in  London.  Rev. 
Henry  Richards,  whose  work  at  Banza  Manteke  is  with- 
out a  parellel  in  the  history  of  African  missions,  has 
translated  several  hymns.     Among  others 

"  Abide  with  me,  fast  falls  the  eventide," 
Unkadila  nsungi  fuku  yi. 

"  Jesus  Christ  is  risen  today," 
Jisus  uful  ukidi  wan. 


AND  THEIR  HYMNS.  625 

Mr.  Richards  went  to  the  Congo  in  1878.  After  trav- 
eling considerably,  and  aiding  in  building  Lukungii, 
he  finally  established  a  station  at  Banza  Manteke, 
where  he  has  remained,  and  where  he  has  witnessed 
almost  Pentecostal  blessings.  Here  he  buried  his  first 
wife,  Mary  Richards,  November  13,  1881.  He  has 
translated  the  Gospel  of  Luke  into  Ki-Kongo.  His 
hymns,  with  added  hymns  by  Mr.  Harvey,  were 
printed  at  Palabala  by  Mr.  Clark,  Herbert  Probert  and 
the  late  Mr.  White. 

J.  McKiTTRiCK  has  made  one  or  two  excellent 
translations.  He  has  written  one  or  two  hymns,  also, 
in  the  Kilolo  language  at  the  equator. 

In  1886,  J.  B.  Eddie  composed  several  hymns  in 
Kilolo  at  the  Equator  Station.  Like  Dr.  Sims  he  has 
great  linguistic  powers.  He  has  a  good  knowledge  of 
Kiyousi,  and  speaks  with  facility  the  Ki-Kongo.  At 
present  he  is  preparing  a  dictionary  of  the  Kilolo. 
40 


APPENDIX. 


ENGLISH    BAPTIST    HYMN    BOOKS 

AND   THEIR    COMPILERS. 


Most  of  the  Baptists  in  England,  until  about  the  year  1673, 
were  opposed  to  congregational  singing.  Of  the  General  Baptists 
this  was  true  for  a  long  time  after  this  date.  Rev.  "W.  R.  Stevenson, 
in  an  article  in  the  General  Baptist  Magazine  for  January,  1887, 
says:  "  For  one  thing  they  were  afraid  of  forms,  forms  of  praise  as 
well  as  forms  of  prayer.  They  also  urged  that  the  praises  of  God,  in 
order  to  be  accepted,  must  be  sincere,  but  in  a  mixed  congregation 
of  believers  and  unbelievers,  many  would  be  sure  to  utter  words  of 
praise  with  their  voices,  whilst  their  hearts  were  not  engaged,  which 
would  be  hypocrisy.  If  under  the  prompting  of  a  spirit  of  gratitude 
to  God,  a  brother  in  their  assemblies  felt  moved  to  sing  by  himself  a 
psalm  of  thanksgiving,  they  could  not  gainsay,  provided  he  confined 
himself  to  the  words  of  Scripture,  but  more  than  this  they  could  not 
admit." 

About  the  year  1673,  however,  Benjamin  Reach,  pastor  of  a  small 
particular  Baptist  church  in  London,  whose  meeting-house  was  at 
the  corner  of  Goat  Street,  Horsle3'-do wn,  Southwark,  introduced  the 
practice  of  singing  a  hymn  at  the  Lord's  Supper.  A  few  years 
later,  on  days  of  thanksgiving,  the  singiug  of  a  hj^mn  was  made  a 
l^art  of  the  service.  At  length,  about  the  year  1690,  it  was  voted 
after  some  discussion  to  sing  a  hymn  every  Lord's  Day.  It  was 
agreed,  however,  that  the  hymn  should  be  sung  at  the  close  of  the 
prayer  after  the  sermon,  so  that  those  who  were  unwilling  to  join  in 
this  part  of  the  service  might  "  go  freely  forth."  This  arrange- 
ment was  not  altogether  satisfactory  to  either  party,  and  to  convince 
his  anti-singing  members,  and  in  reply  to  Isaac  Marlowe,  a  member 
of  the  church,  who  had  just  printed  a  tract  in  opposition  to  singing, 
Benjamin  Reach,  iu  1691,  published  a  book,  entitled  "  The  Breach 
Repaired   in   God's   "Worship;  or  Singing   of  Psalms,   Hymns,  and 

Spiritual  Songs  proved  to  be  a  Holy  Ordinance  of  Jesus  Christ." 

627 


628  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

The  same  3-car  lie  published  a  hymn  book  entitled  "  Spiritual 
Melody."  It  contained  three  hundred  hymns  of  his  own  composi- 
tion, which  had  been  sung  in  "divers  congregations"  in  earlier 
years,  but  were  now  brought  together  at  the  "  earnest  request  and 
desire  of  several  Christian  friends."  This  was  the  first  Baptist 
hymn  book  published  in  England  But  in  Mr.  Reach's  church  there 
were  still  those  who  were  unwilling  to  admit  that  the  "Singing  of 
Psalms,  Hymns,  and  Spiritual  Songs  "  was  "  an  ordinance  of  Jesus 
Christ";  and  on  this  account  they  withdrew  from  the  church  in 
Ilorsley-down,  and  organized  the  Maze  Pond  church,  February  9th, 
1G9.3,  in  the  house  of  Luke  Leader,  in  Tooley  street,  Southwark. 
There  were  six  brethren  and  thirteen  sisters  who  met  to  spend  the 
day  in  fasting  and  praying,  "and  to  settle  themselves  in  a  church 
state."  After  their  withdrawal,  Keach  and  his  church  passed  a  vote 
"  that  they  who  are  for  singing  may  sing  as  above  said."  In  1709, 
the  Maze  Pond  brethren  declined  to  unite  with  the  brethren  at 
"Whilechapel,  because  of  their  "mixed  communion  and  singing." 
At  length,  however,  in  1735,  Mr.  Abraham  West,  who  had  been 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  this  songless  body,  made  it  a  condition  of 
his  acceptance  of  the  call,  that  a  psalm  or  hymn  should  be  sung  at 
the  beginning  of  public  worship,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  "With  this  one  psalm  or  hymn  the  service  was  enriched 
during  the  next  nineteen  years.  In  1758,  it  was  found  that  there 
were  only  two  brethren  and  two  sisters  who  were  opposed  to  singing 
and  they  declared  their  willingness  that  the  church  should  have  lib- 
erty in  this  matter.  Accordingly  it  was  agreed  that  there  should  be 
singing  after,  as  well  as  before  the  sermon,  and  on  all  other  proper 
occasions. 

In  IGUl,  Joseph  Stennett,  pastor  of  a  Sabbatarian  Baptist  church 
in  London,  published  a  collection  of  hymns  entitled,  "  Hymns  in 
Commemoration  of  the  Sufferings  of  our  Blessed  Saviour,  Jesus 
Christ,  Composed  for  the  Celebration  of  his  Holy  Supper."  Dr. 
Hatfield  (Poets  of  the  Church  p.  574)  refers  to  the  fact  that  Dr. 
Watts,  in  one  of  his  hymns,  borrowed  several  stanzas  from  a  hymn 
in  this  volume  by  Stennett,  and  adds:  "  Watts,  at  this  time,  had  pub- 
lished nothing;  and  doubtless,  with  his  great  propensity  to  verse 
making,  made  himself  familiar  with  this  humble  volume  from  the 
very  year  of  its  publication.  Stennett,  therefore,  was  probably  one 
of  Watts'  models,  as  well  as  his  pioneer."  A  second  edition  of 
Stennett's   Hymns    appeared    in  1705,  and  the  number  of  hymns, 


APPENDIX.  629 

which  in  the  first  edition  was  thirty-seven,  was  now  increased  to 
fift3^  In  1709,  appeared  the  second  edition  of  Mr.  Stennett's  "  Ver- 
sion of '  Solomon's  Song  of  Songs.'  "  In  1712,  Mr,  Stennett  published 
twelve  hymns  on  "  Baptism." 

In  1750,  Rev.  Benjamin  Wallin,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Maze  Pond,  published  a  volume  entitled  "  Evangelical  Hymns  and 
Songs  in  Two  Parts."  The  hymns  are  one  hundred  in  number.  Five 
hj'mns  in  Denham's  Selection  are  taken  from  this  collection. 

In  1708,  John  Xeedham,  pastor  of  a  Baptist  church  in  Bristol, 
published  "  Hymns  Devotional  and  Moral,  on  Various  Subjects. 
Collected  Chiefly  from  the  Hol)^  Scriptures,  and  Suited  to  the  Chris- 
tian State  and  Worship."  The  volume  contained  two  hundred  and 
sixty-three  hymns,  some  of  which  are  still  in  use. 

In  17G9,  was  published  at  Bristol,  the  first  "  Selection  "  of  hymns 
prepared  for  use  in  Baptist  churches  in  England.  It  was  compiled 
by  John  Ash,  ll.d.,  Baptist  minister  of  Pershore,  in  Warwickshire, 
and  Caleb  Evans,  d.d.,  pastor  of  Broadmead  Chapel,  Bristol,  and 
president  of  the  Baptist.  College  in  that  city.  It  was  entitled  "A 
Collection  of  H3'mns  Adapted  to  Public  Worship,"  and  contained 
four  hundred  and  twelve  hymns.  The  authors  of  the  hymns 
throughout  are  indicated  by  initial  letters.  The  best  English  hymn 
writers  up  to  that  time  are  represented  in  this  collection,  among  tbem 
Stennett,  Beddome,  Wesley,  Watts,  Steele,  and  Addison.  Miss 
Steele's  hymns,  sixty-two  in  number,  are  marked  T  for  Theodora. 

The  New  Connexion  of  General  Baptists  was  founded  in  1770, 
partly  of  churches  which  seceded  from  the  Old  Connexion  because 
of  the  spread  of  Socinianism  in  that  body,  and  partly  of  churches  in 
Yorkshire,  Leicestershire,  Derbyshire  and  Xottinghamshire,  which 
had  sprung  up  as  the  result  of  the  Methodist  revival,  and  had  been 
led  by  their  study  of  the  Scriptures  to  adopt  Baptist  sentiments. 
Their  leading  minister  was  Dan  Taylor,  then  resident  in  Yorkshire, 
and  by  him  the  first  General  Baptist  hymn  book  was  compiled  and 
published  in  1772.  Its  title  is  "  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs,  mostly 
collected  from  various  Authors;  with  a  few  that  have  not  been  pub- 
lished before.  Halifax.  Printed  by  E.  Jacob,  1772."  The  preface  is 
signed  "  The  Compilers."  Who  assisted  Mr.  Taylor  is  not  now 
known.  In  Dan  Taylor's  memoir  the  book  is  spoken  of  as  his  work. 
It  contains  two  hundred  and  ninety-three  hymns,  with  a  few  doxol- 
ogies. 

Rev.  John  Fawcett  published,  in  1782,  his  "  Hymns  Adapted  to  the 


630  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

Circumstances  of  Public  "Worship  and  Private  Devotion."  The  col- 
lection comprised  one  hundred  and  sixty-six  hymns-,  which  had  been 
written  at  different  stages  of  Dr.  Fawcett's  ministry. 

In  the  following  year,  1783,  Rev.  Richard  Burnham,  who  during 
his  London  pastorate  had  written  many  hymns  for  his  own  congre- 
gation, published  his  "  Xew  Hymns  on  Divine  Subjects,"  of  which 
a  third  edition  appeared  in  1794,  and  a  fourth  "  Hymns  Particularly 
Designed  for  the  Use  of  the  Congregation  Meeting  together  in 
Grafton  Street,  Soho,"  in  1796.  This  last  edition  contains  three 
hundred  and  eighteen  hymns.  At  the  close  is  added  the  "  Covenant 
of  the  Baptist  church  meeting  together  in  Grafton  Street,  Soho." 

A  collection  of  hymns  by  Samuel  Deacon  appeared  in  1785.  A 
second  edition,  entitled  "  Barton  Hymns.  A  New  Composition  of 
Hymns  and  Poems;  Chiefly  on  Divine  Subjects,  Designed  for  the 
Amusement  and  Edification  of  Christians  of  all  Denominations; 
more  particularly  those  of  the  General  Baptist  Persuasion,"  was 
published  in  1797.  Mr.  Deacon,  who  was  a  clock-maker  in  Barton, 
was  also  an  ordained  General  Baptist  minister,  and  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Barton. 

The  hymns  of  Rev.  Samuel  Medley  were  first  printed  as  leaflets, 
commencing  in  1786.  In  1789,  Mr.  Medley  published  a  small  volume 
containing  seventy-seven  of  his  hymns,  and  iu  1791,  a  larger  volume 
followed.  In  1800,  the  year  after  his  death,  a  still  larger  volume, 
containing  two  hundred  and  twenty  hymns,  appeared  with  the  title 
"  Hymns  —  The  Public  Worship  and  Private  Devotions  of  True 
Christians,  Assisted  in  some  Thoughts  in  Verse:  Principally  drawn 
from  Select  Passages  of  the  "Word  of  God." 

In  1787,  Dr.  John  Rippon,  who  succeeded  Dr.  Gill  as  pastor  of  the 
Particular  Baptist  church.  Carter  Lane,  Tooley  street,  London, 
published  his  well-known  "  Selection  of  Hymns  from  the  Best 
Authors;  including  a  great  Number  of  Origiuals.  Intsnded  to  be  an 
Appendix  to  Dr.  "Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns."  Evidently  there  were 
those  in  Baptist  churches,  who  were  ardently  attached  to  the  hymns 
and  Psalms  of  Dr.  "Watts,  and  did  not  wish  to  have  them  displaced. 
In  his  preface  Dr.  Rippon  deems  it  needful  to  say:  "This  Selection 
was  never  intended,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  to  set  aside  Dr. 
"Watts,  in  any  Congregation  upon  Earth;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  hoped 
that  he  will  be  more  used  than  ever.  And  that  he  may  be  so,  his 
Hymns  and  Psalms  keeping  their  former  Place,  a  Number  of  Hymns 
has  been  introduced  from  his  L3'ric   Poems,  Sermons,  and  Miscel- 


APPENDIX.  631 

lanies,  into  this  Volume,  not  only  greater  than  has  yet  appeared  in 
any  Collection  of  Hymns  for  Public  Worship;  but  I  believe,  exceed- 
ing what  has  been  printed  in  all  of  them  put  together.  These,  I 
flatter  myself,  will  be  highly  acceptable  to  the  real  friends  of  Dr. 
Watts."  Dr.  Kippon  accordingly  made  no  selection  from  Dr. 
Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns,  but  turned  his  attention  to  other  collec- 
tions, consulting  "  more  than  ninety  printed  volumes  of  Hymn- 
Books,  Hymns,  Psalms,"  etc,  examining  all  the  collections  he  could 
obtain  in  England  and  America.  Referring  to  the  Bristol  collection 
of  Ash  and  Evans  he  says:  "  I  will  not  say  all  the  honorable  Things 
which  my  Mind  dictates  concerning  it,  but  I  will  say,  that  it  is  by  no 
Means  inferior  to  any  Collection  of  Hymns  that  I  have  seen;  yet  as 
Dr.  Watts  is  but  seldom  used  where  the  Bristol  Collection  is  intro- 
duced, mine  will  not  be  likely  to  clash  with  it." 

Nearly  one  fourth  of  the  hymns  in  the  Selection  were  original. 
Especially  was  the  compiler  indebted  to  Dr.  S.  Stennett,  Rev.  D. 
Turner,  Rev.  B.  Beddome,  and  Rev.  B.  Francis,  all  eminent  Baptists. 
But  a  place  was  also  given  to  the  hymn  writers  of  other  denomina- 
tions. "  It  has  not  been  my  Enquiry,"  says  Dr.  Rippon  "  whose 
Hymns  shall  I  choose,  but  what  Hymns;  and  hence  it  will  be  seen, 
that  Churchmen  and  Dissenters,  Watts  and  Tate,  Wesley  and  Top- 
lady,  England  and  America,  sing  Side  by  Side,  and  very  often  join 
in  the  same  Triumph,  using  the  same  Words,  and  when  Christ  has 
been  the  Subject  of  the  Song,  we  have  been  ready  to  say, 

Europe,  and  Asia  shall  resound, 

With  Africa,  his  Fame; 
And  thou  America,  ia  Songs 
Redeeming  Love  proclaim." 

The  Selection,  as  first  published,  contained  five  hundred  and  eighty- 
eight  hymns.  The  tenth  edition,  issued  in  1800,  contained  sixty 
additional  hymns.  When  the  Selection  had  been  in  use  upward  of 
half  a  century  it  was  still  further  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  nearly 
four  hundred  hymns.  This  "  Comprehensive  "  edition  was  in  use 
in  Mr.  Spurgeon's  church  in  London,  until  his  own  " Hymn  Book" 
was  introduced  in  1866. 

In  1792,  Rev.  Charles  Cole,  for  fifty-four  years  the  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  church  at  Whitechurch,  in  Hampshire,  published  "  A  Three- 
fold Alphabet  of  New  Hymns.  I.  On  the  Public  Ministry  of  the 
Word;  II.  On  Baptism;  III.  On  the  Lord's  Supper;  to  which  is 
added  a  Supplicatory  Supplement."  The  preface  is  dated  May  20, 
1789,  and  the  book  was  advertised  in  Rippon's  Register,  Vol.  I, 
1790. 


632  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

Rev.  Joseph  Swain,  who,  in  1791,  took  charge  of  a  church  in  East 
street,  Walworth,  near  Surrey  Gardens,  London,  published,  in  1792, 
a  volume  containing  one  hundred  and  ninety-two  hymns,  under  the 
title,  "  Walworth  Hymns,"  to  which  was  added  "  A  Short  Essay  on 
Church  Fellowship  and  Social  Religion," 

In  1791,  the  General  Baptist  Association  passed  a  resolution 
recommending  the  preparation  of  another  hymn  book,  and  appointing 
a  committee  for  that  purpose.  Of  this  committee  Mr.  John  Deacon, 
minister  of  Eriar  Lane,  Leicester,  was  an  active  member,  and  Dan 
Taylor,  chairman.  The  book  appeared  in  1793.  The  title  was 
"  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs,"  selected  from  various  authors,  Lon- 
don, printed  for  the  editors  and  sold  by  D.  Taylor,  Union  street, 
Bishopsgate.  This  book  contained  six  hundred  and  thirty-two 
hymns.  It  cannot  have  met  with  general  acceptance,  for  in  1800, 
Mr.  John  Deacon  published  another  hymn  book  on  his  own  respon- 
sibility entitled,  "  A  New  and  Large  Collection  of  Hymns  and 
Psalms,  selected  from  more  than  forty  different  authors,"  London, 
H.  D.  Symonds,  Paternoster  Row.  This  book  has  six  hundred  and 
fifty-one  hymns.  A  second  edition,  enlarged,  was  published  in  1804. 
The  collection  gradually  won  its  way  among  the  General  Baptist 
churches,  and  in  1829,  the  proprietor  submitted  it  to  the  revision  of 
a  committee  appointed  by  the  Association  in  order  that,  if  possible,  it 
might  be  made  generally  acceptable.  As  thus  revised  it  was  adopted 
by  the  Association  of  1830,  and  so  became  the  hymn  book  of  the  Con- 
nexion. The  preface  is  signed  by  W.  Pickering,  J.  Goadby  and  J. 
Jones,  three  prominent  ministers  of  that  day. 

In  1801,  Jonathan  Franklin  published  his  "  Hymns  and  Spiritual 
Songs,  Composed  on  various  Texts  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  on 
Different  Divine  Subjects  For  the  Use  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Croyden,  Surrey,"  of  which  Mr.  Franklin  was  pastor.  The  collec- 
tion contained  two  hundred  and  seven  hymns.  The  third  edition, 
1823,  contained  two  Imndred  and  thirty  hymns  and  one  hundred  and 
fifty  added  hymns  "  designed  as  a  Supplement  to  Jonathan  Frank- 
lin's Hymns." 

In  the  preface  to  his  "  Hymns  Doctrinal  and  Experimental,"  pub- 
lished in  1801,  Rev.  W.  Augustus  Clarke,  minister  of  Buuhill-Row 
Chapel,  London,  says:  "In  the  year  1788,  by  the  desire  of  a  great 
number  of  subjects  of  the  grace  of  God,  which  was  given  them  in 
Christ  Jesus,  I  published  a  Book  of  Hymns,  with  spiritual  remarks 
on  each  Hymn,  which  work,  under  the  sweet  operations  of  the  Divine 


APPENDIX.  633 

Spirit,  was  made  a  blessing  to  many  precious  souls  in  England,  Ire- 
land and  America;  but  the  preceding  work  being  out  of  print,  a  door 
is  opened  by  my  dear  little  church,  who  live  and  walk  in  the  new 
commandment,  for  this  composition.  O  that  the  Lord  may  accom- 
pany its  spiritual  contents  to  all  his  dear  children,  is  the  most  arduous 
wish  of  your  willing,  but  unworthy  servant."  The  full  title  of  the 
collection  of  1801,  is  as  follows:  "  Hymns  Doctrinal  and  Experimen- 
tal for  the  Free-Born  Citizens  of  Zion,  who  know  their  election  of 
God,  and  Glory  in  the  Evangelical  Truths  comprised  in  the  Gospel  of 
a  Finished  Salvation.  By  W.  Augustus  Clarke,  appointed  to  Min- 
ister to  the  Lazaretto,  yet  Smyrna  Church  of  God,  in  Christ  Jesus, 
Bunhill-Kow  Chapel."  The  collection  contains  tAvo  hundred  and 
sixty-one  hj-mus. 

In  1809,  John  Stevens,  pastor  of  Meard's  Court  Soho,  published 
"  AITew  Selection  of  Hymns,  including  also  several  Original  Hymns 
never  before  offered  to  the  Public."  This  and  the  second  edition 
(1812)  contained  four  hundred  and  sixty-five  hymns.  The  third 
edition  (1825)  had  an  appendix  of  one  hundred  and  two  h3-mns,  and 
the  twelfth  (1SG8)  one  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  hymns.  The 
edition  of  Stevens  now  in  use  was  editel  in  18S1,  by  J.  S.  Anderson. 
Thus  enlarged  and  improved,  it  contains  nine  hundred  and  seventy 
hymns.  Of  these  thirty-four  are  by  Stevens  himself.  This  hymn 
book  is  now  used  by  eleven  chapels  in  London. 

In  1813,  John  Bailey,  "  minister  of  the  Gospel  at  Zoar  Chapel, 
Great  Alie  Street,  Goodman's  Fields,"  London,  pu])lislied  his 
"  Siou's  Melody;  a  Selection  of  upward  of  Six  Hundred  Hymns  for 
Social  and  Public  "Worship,  with  some  originals,  never  before  pub- 
lished." This  collection  contained  six  hundred  and  thirty-two  hymns 
and  a  few  doxologies.  The  names  of  the  authors  of  the  In-mns  are 
not  given. 

In  1814,  James  L'pton,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Church 
Street,  Blackfriars  (now  Upton  Chapel,  Lambeth)  published  a  "  Col- 
lection of  Hymns  Designed  as  a  Supplement  to  Dr.  Watts'  Psalms 
and  Hymns."     A  third  edition  appeared  in  1818. 

In  the  same  year  (1814)  William  Gadsby  iDublished  a  Selection  of 
Hymns  which  was  enlarged  in  1833,  by  the  addition  of  a  supplement. 
Hart's  Hymns  and  a  second  supplement  were  added  in  1840-7,  making 
the  whole  number  of  hymns  in  the  book  eight  hundred  and  eighty- 
two.  It  now  contains  eleven  hundred  and  thirt3'-eight  hymns  and  is 
used  in  twenty-six  Baptist  churches  in  London,  beside  many  in  the 


634  BAPTIST  IIYMN^  WRITERS. 

Provinces.     Mr.    Gadsby  also  published   a  Selection   of  Hymns   for 
Sunday-schools. 

In  ISIS,  Rev.  James  II.  Evans,  who  had  withdrawn  from  the 
Church  of  England,  and  in  that  year  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
Chajjel  in  John  Street,  Gray's  Inn  Road,  London,  published  a  hymn 
book  containing  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  hymns,  of  which 
twelve  were  his  own.  The  third  edition,  published  in  1822,  con- 
tained two  hundred  and  eleven  hymns.  The  "  Psalms  and  Hymns" 
was  still  further  enlarged  in  1838,  and  contained  four  hundred  and 
fifty-one  hymns.  The  last  edition  appeared  in  1813.  In  the  same 
year,  1818,  "  A  Selection  of  Hymns  adapted  for  Divine  Worship," 
compiled  by  Christopher  Anderson,  was  published  in  Edinburgh. 

In  1823,  Rev.  AV.  W.  Home,  pastor  of  the  Hephzibah  Chapel, 
London,  published  his  "  Sion's  Harmony  of  Praise,  a  Selection  of 
Psalms,  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs,  for  Public,  Social  and  Private 
"Worship,  from  the  Best  Hymn  Writers;  with  a  Variety  of  Original 
Pieces."  Of  the  seven  hundred  and  fifty-two  hymns  in  the  collec- 
tion, ninety-eight  were  by  Mr.  Home.  "  Of  my  own  compositions," 
he  says  in  his  preface,  "  I  wish  to  say  nothing  more  than  that  I  am 
happy  to  class  Avith  those  whom  I  have  denominated  choristers, 
enlivened  and  consoled  with  the  blessed  hope  that  I  shall  shortly 
join  the  everlasting  song  above,  in  strains  unknown  to  mortals, 
ascribing  unbounded  and  ceaseless  glories  to  Father,  Son,  and 
Spii'it,  to  whom  be  all  praise  for  ever  and  ever."  Mr.  Home's  hymn 
book  reiiched  a  third  edition. 

Mr.  Home's  book  was  followed  in  1824,  by ,'"A  Selection  of  Hymns, 
including  many  Originals;  for  the  Use  of  the  Church  and  Congre- 
gation Meeting  for  Divine  Worship  in  Meeting-House  Walk,  Snow's 
Fields,  Borough.  By  George  Francis,  Minister  of  the  Gospel,"  Of 
the  four  hundred  and  eight  hymns  in  this  collection  sixteen  are  orig- 
inal. "  The  books  that  we  have  hitherto  generally  used,"  says  the 
conipiler,  "  have  been  Dr.  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns  and  Dr.  Rip- 
l)on's  Selection;  but  it  has  veiy  frequently  occurred  that  manv 
excellent  Hymns  have  necessarily  been  introduced,  either  as  appli- 
cable to  the  sermon,  or  by  particular  desire,  at  which  time  the  Con- 
gregation are  without  Books;  and  when  they  have  been  found 
precious  to  the  soul,  great  enquiry  has  been  made  to  know  from 
whence  they  have  been  taken."  Hence  this  selection  from  the 
hymns  of  Bcrridge,  Buriiham,  Hart,  Kent,  Medley,  Xewton,  etc. 
In  1828,  appeared  the  "  Xew  Selection  of  Hymns."     It  was  com- 


APPENDIX.  635 

piled  by  Drs.  Steane,  Murch,  and  Price.  It  is  stated  in  the  Baptist 
Magazine  that  Rev.  W.  Groser,  who  for  a  number  of  years  was 
editor  of  the  Baptist  Magazine,  was  requested  by  the  committee  to 
act  as  editor.  In  1838,  appeared  the  seventeenth  edition  enlarged, 
entitled  •'  A  Selection  of  Hymns  for  the  Use  of  Baptist  Congrega- 
tions." It  is  probable  that  Mr.  Groser  was  the  editor  of  this 
enlarged  edition.  In  the  preface  the  announcement  is  made:  "  The 
Trustees  of  the  Hymn  Book  which  was  published  ten  years  ago 
under  the  title  '  A  Xew  Selection,'  have  had  great  reason  to  rejoice 
in  the  success  which  has  attended  the  undertaking.  More  than  sixty 
thousand  copies  have  been  sold."  A  supplement,  entitled  "  Praise 
Waiteth,  "  was  issued  in  1871. 

A  "  Selection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns,"  by  Rev.  Baptist  W.  Xoel, 
was  published  in  1832,  while  he  was  connected  with  the  Church  of 
England.  A  second  edition  appeared  in  1838,  the  third  in  181:8,  and 
an  enlarged  edition  in  1853,  with  an  "Appendix  to  be  used  at  the 
Baptism  of  Believers." 

In  1833,  Rev.  John  Howard  Hinton  j^ublished  his  "  Hymns  by  a 
Minister,"  a  collection  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen  hymns.  These 
and  many  other  hymns  were  written  by  Mr.  Hinton  to  accompany 
his  sermons. 

Rev.  Edward  Mote  published  in  London,  in  1836,  his  "  Hymns  of 
Praise,  a  New  Selection  of  Gospel  Hymns,  Combining  all  the  excel- 
lencies of  our  Spiritual  Poets  with  many  Originals.  For  the  use  of  all 
Spritual  Worshipers."  There  were  sixhundred  and  six  hymns  in  this 
collection.  A  second  edition  appeared  in  1843.  The  third  edition 
(1853)  contained  nine  huadred  and  twenty-two  hymns. 

"  The  Saint's  Melody,  containing  more  than  eleven  hundred 
hymns  founded  on  Gospel  Truth.  With  some  Originals,  by  the  late 
David  Denham,"  was  published  in  1837.  Mr.  Denham,  at  that  time, 
was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Margate,  Kent.  The  collection 
contained  eleven  hundred  and  forty-five  hymns. 

In  1838,  Rev.  John  Stenson,  pastor  of  the  church  worshiping  in 
Carmel  Chapel,  Westbourne  street,  London,  published  "•The  Bap- 
tists' Hymn  Book,  being  a  collection  of  upward  of  one  thousand 
hymns,  including  a  considerable  number  of  originals."  The  original 
hymns,  one  hundred  and  seven  in  number,  are  by  Mr.  Stenson,  and 
close  the  collection. 

Meanwhile  among  the  General  Baptists  a  desire  had  been  mani- 
fested for  a  new  hymn  book,  embodying  hymns  of  a  more   recent 


636  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

date  than  those  in  use.  Such  a  compilation  was  made  by  Key.  J.  B. 
Pike  and  Rev.  E.  C.  Pike,  sons  of  Rev.  J.  G.  Pike,  of  Derbjt,  founder 
of  the  General  Baptist  Missionary  Society.  It  was  submitted  to  a 
committee,  adopted  by  the  Association,  and  published  in  18.51.  The 
title  given  to  it  was  "  The  New  Hymn  Book."  It  was  published 
under  the  direction  of  the  General  Baptist  Association. 

In  18.38,  appeared  "Psalms  and  Hymns  for  Public,  Social  and 
Private  Worship,  prepared  for  the  use  of  the  Baptist  Denomination." 
The  publisher  of  the  selection  was  Mr.  John  Hodden.  His  son,  Mr. 
John  Hodden,  jr.,  conceived  the  idea  of  a  new  hymn  book,  and  he 
and  his  brother-in-law,  Rev.  T.  Waterman,  a  Congregational  minis- 
ter, made  a  collection  of  hymns  which  they  deemed  suitable.  This 
collection  they  transferred  to  Dr.  S.  G.  Green,  Dr.  N.  Haycroft,  Rev. 
"W.  F.  Burchell,Rev.  J.  T.  Wigner,  Mr.  B.  L.  Green  and  Mr.  George 
Rawson,  who  revised,  enlarged  and  considerably  altered  the  "  Selec- 
tion." It  was  then  vested  in  trustees  and  published.  Mr.  Rawson 
was  at  that  time  a  solicitor  in  Leeds,  an  accomplished  literary  man, 
a  Congregatioualist,  and  the  author  of  a  number  of  excellent  hymns, 
some  of  which  first  appeared  in  this  collection.  Mr.  Wigner  and  Mr. 
Burchell,  for  awhile,  supervised  the  successive  editions  of  the  "  Selec- 
tion," but  for  a  long  time  past  Mr.  Wigner  alone  has  had  the  position 
of  editor  and  secretary  to  the  trustees.  A  new  edition  was  issued  in 
1867,  with  the  names  of  the  authors  of  the  hymns.  A  supplement, 
compiled  by  Mr.  Wigner,  was  added  in  1878,  and  a  revised  edition 
was  published  in  1887.  When  the  supplement  was  added,  the  trus- 
tees could  say  this  collection  "  has  long  been  a  favorite  book  amongst 
our  people,  as  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  during  that  period 
[twenty  years],  more  than  one  million  copies  have  been  sold;  and 
further,  that  out  of  the  i:u-ofits  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  book, 
a  sum  of  more  than  ten  thousand  pounds  has  been  given  to  the 
widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  Baptist  ministers."  The  latest 
edition  contains  twelve  hundred  and  seventy -one  hymns. 

"  Our  Own  Hymn  Book,"  compiled  by  Mr.  Spurgeon,  was  pub- 
lished in  1860.  "  Our  congregation,"  says  Mr.  Spurgeon,  in  his 
preface,  "  has  long  used  two  hymn  books,  namely,  the  comprehensive 
edition  of  'Dr.  Rippon's  Selection,'  and  'Dr.  Watts'  Psalms  and 
Hymns.'  Despite  the  judgment  of  many  to  the  contrary,  we  believe 
that  the  store  of  spiritual  songs  contained  in  these  two  volumes  is 
not  excelled,  even  if  equalled,  by  any  compositions  extant;  and  Ave 
should  most  probably  have  been  very  well  content  with  these  books 


APPENDIX.  637 

had  it  not  been  for  difficulties  connected  with  the  remarkable  com- 
plex arrangement  of  their  contents.  To  strangers  it  was  no  small 
task  to  discover  the  hymns  selected  for  singing,  for,  in  the  first  place, 
there  were  two  books,  which  was  in  itself  an  evil;  but  the  matter 
was  made  worse  by  the  fact  that  these  two  volumes  were  each  a 
puzzle  to  the  uninstructed;  Eippon  with  its  parts  innumerable,  and 
Watts  with  first,  second  and  third  books."  And  so  Mr.  Spurgeon 
prepared  this  book,  taking  the  hymns  for  the  most  part  from  the 
original  works  of  the  authors  and  as  far  as  practicable  just  as  they 
were  written.  By  the  aid  of  various  Avriters,  especially  "Watts,  the 
English  and  Scotch  versions,  Mr.  Lyte  and  Miss  Auber,  the  Psalms, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  are  presented  in  forms  suitable  for  congrega- 
tional singing.  In  his  work,  Mr.  Spurgeon  had  the  assistance  of  the 
late  Mr.  D.  Sedgwick,  especially  in  the  matter  of  authorship,  dates 
and  general  correctness  of  the  text;  his  large  collection  of  hymn- 
books  and  his  marvellous  acquaintance  with  hymnology  rendering 
him  an  invaluable  helper.  In  this  collection,  as  might  be  expected, 
the  older  English  Baptist  hymn  writers  are  well  represented.  There 
are  ten  hymns  by  S.  Stennett,  nine  by  Dr.  Fawcett,  eleven  by  John 
Ryland,  eighteen  by  Anne  Steele  and  fifteen  by  Benjamin  Beddome. 
The  collection  contains  ten  hundred  and  fifty-nine  hymns. 

"The  Xew  Hymn  Book,"  published  in  1851,  under  the  direction 
of  the  General  Baptist  Association,  in  the  flight  of  j'^ears  at  length 
became  "  old,"  and  in  1876,  a  proposition  for  another  book  was  sub- 
mitted to  the  Association,  and  a  committee  consisting  of  Eev.  W.  R. 
Stevenson,  m.a.,  Rev.  T.  Goadby,  B.A.,  and  Rev.  J.  C.  Jones,  31. A., 
was  requested  to  prepare  it.  In  the  following  year,  the  brethren 
reported  that  the  first  draft  of  their  work  was  ready,  and  requested 
the  appointment  of  seven  other  ministers  to  act  as  advisers.  The 
whole  ten  went  completely  through  the  selection  that  had  been  made, 
adding  to  and  rejecting,  and  at  the  commencement  of  the  year  1879, 
the  volume  was  published  with  the  title,  "The  Baptist  H3'mnal," 
London,  E.  Marlborough  &  Co.,  51  Old  Bailey.  Rev.  AV.  R.  Steven- 
son acted  as  editor.  The  title,  "  Baptist  Hymnal,"  rather  than 
"  General  Baptist"  was  chosen  under  the  impression  that  there  were 
churches  in  the  larger  sections  of  the  Baptist  body  which  would  be 
glad  to  adopt  the  book,  if  there  was  nothing  in  the  title  to  prevent. 
The  impression  has  proved  correct,  the  book  being  now  used  by  a 
number  of  important  churches,  both  in  England  and  Scotland,  uncon- 
nected with  the  General  Baptists. 


638  BAPTIST  HYMJq"  WRITERS. 


AMERICAN  BAPTIST  HYMN  BOOKS 

AND  THEIR  COMPILERS. 


[Biographical  notes  of  compilers'  who  were  also  hymn  writers  are  here  omitted,  and 
will  be  found  under  hymn  writers.] 

The  iiymx  book  which  the  Pilgrims  brought  to  the  new  world,  in 
1620,  was  Ainsworth's  version  of  the  Book  of  Psalms.  It  was 
entitled  "  The  Book  of  Psalmes;  Englished  both  in  Prose  and  Metre. 
With  Annotations  opening  the  words  and  sentences  by  conference 
with  other  Scriptures.  By  Henry  Ainsworth."  Ainsworth  was  an 
English  Separatist,  and  for  a  while  he  was  pastor  of  the  English 
church  in  Amsterdam.  His  version  of  the  Psalms  was  used  at 
Plymouth  until  1692.  The  church  at  Salem  retained  it  until  1667, 
and  the  church  in  Ipswich  about  as  long.  But  "  The  Bay  Psalm 
Book,"  as  it  is  generally  known,  published  in  1610,  superseded  Ains- 
worth in  most  of  the  churches.  It  was  the  first  book  published  in 
the  colonies,  and  was  entitled  "  The  Psalms  in  Metre;  Faithfully 
translated  for  the  Use,  Edification,  and  Comfort  of  the  Saints  in 
publick  and  private,  especially  in  'New  England."  Prominent  divines 
of  Massachusetts  Bay,  among  whom  were  Rev.  Thomas  Weld  and 
Rev.  John  Eliot  of  Roxbury,  and  Rev.  Richard  Mather,  of  Dorches- 
ter, had  a  part  in  the,  preparation  of  this  version  of  the  Psalms.  A 
second  edition  was  published  in  1647.  But  there  were  already  those 
who  thought  that  even  this  version  could  be  improved,  and  the  Avork 
of  revision  and  improvement  was  entrusted  to  President  Dunster  of 
Harvard  College,  who  "  was  helped  as  to  the  Poetry "  by  Mr. 
Richard  Lyon,  This  revised  edition  appeared  in  1650,  and  passing 
through  edition  after  edition  it  maintained  its  place  in  the  churches 
of  the  colony  for  more  than  a  century,  and  was  extensively  used  in 
England  and  Scotland,  where  it  was  reprinted,  and  passed  through 
many  editions. 

Before  this  version  was  published,  and  probably  to  prepare  the 
way  for  it,  Rev.  John  Cotton  published  a  treatise  entitled  "  Singing 
of  Psalms  a  Gospel  Ordinance,"  the  design  of  which  evidently 
was  to  meet  the  objection  then  made  to  a  metrical  version  of  the 


APPENDIX,  639 

Psalms,  that  by  the  word  singing  in  the  Scriptures  nothing  more  is 
meant  than  thankfulness  and  joy  in  the  heart.  Mr.  Cotton  insisted 
that  the  "  singing  of  Psalmes  with  a  lively  voyce  is  an  holy  duty  of 
God's  worship."  He  also  maintained  that  "  not  only  the  Psalmes  of 
David,  but  any  other  spiritual  songs  recorded  in  Scripture  may  law- 
fully be  sung  in  Christian  Churches,"  and  that  "  any  private  Chris- 
tian, who  hath  a  gift  to  frame  a  Spiritual  Song,  may  both  frame  it, 
and  sing  it  privately,  for  his  own  private  comfort,"  but  not  other- 
wise. "Women,  however,  he  thought  should  not  take  part  in  the 
service  of  song;  only  the  men.  If  it  is  not  "  permitted  to  a  woman 
to  speake  in  church,  1  Cor.  xiv.  34,  how  then  shall  they  sing?  "  Mr, 
Cotton  asks. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  early  in  the 
eighteenth,  the  cultivation  of  music  in  New  England  was  almost 
wholly  neglected,  and  it  is  said  that  at  the  time  Mr.  Cotton  wrote  his 
treatise  only  three  or  four  tunes  could  be  sung  in  the  churches,  Nor 
were  these  three  or  four  tunes  sung  alike  by  different  persons,  but 
according  to  a  contemporary  i-ecord,  "  as  every  unskilful  throat  saw 
fit,"  "  like  five  hundred  different  tunes  roared  out  at  the  same  time," 
and  "  so  hideous  and  disorderly  as  is  bad  beyond  expression."     In 

1720,  Rev.  Thomas  Symmes,  of  Bradford, Mass.,  published  a  sermon 
on  "  The  Reasonableness  of  Regular  Singing,"  in  the  hope  of 
revivin<T  "  the  true  and  ancient  mode  of  singing  psalm  tunes  accord- 
ing to  the  pattern  of  our  New  England  psalm  books."     Previous  to 

1721,  no  music  had  been  published  in  the  colonies  except  that 
appended  to  "  The  Bay  Psalm  Book."  In  1721,  the  year  following 
Mr.  Symmes'  sermon.  Rev.  Thomas  "Walter,  of  Roxbury,  Mass., 
published  a  small  work  entitled,  "  The  Grounds  and  Rules  of  Musick 
Explained;  Or  an  Introduction  to  the  Art  of  Singing  by  Note."  A 
second  edition  was  published  in  1723,  and  it  passed  through  many 
successive  editions,  until  it  was  supplanted  by  the  works  of  Bayley, 
Billings,  and  others.  But  this  effort  to  introduce  "a  new  way,"  as 
it  was  called,  met  with  much  opposition.  Some  insisted  on  singing 
in  the  "  old  way"  still,  and  a  disagreeable  jargon  was  the  result. 

In  1758,  appeared  in  Boston  "The  Psalms,  Hymns  and  Spiritual 
Songs  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  faithfully  translated  into 
Eno-lish  Metre.  Being  the  New  England  Psalm  Book  Revised  and 
Improved."  This  was  the  work  of  Thomas  Prince,  who  -was  pastor  of 
the  Old  South  Church,  Boston,  from  1717,  until  his  death,  October  22, 
1758.     His  revision  of  "  The  Bay  Psalm  Book  "  was  published  only 


640  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

a  few  months  before  his  death.  The  preface  bears  <Jate  May  26, 
1758.     A  second  edition  of  this  work  appeared  in  1773. 

Dr.  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns  were  already  coming  into  use  in 
this  couutrj'^  when  Prince's  revision  first  made  its  appearance.  In 
1741,  Dr.  Franklin  published  in  Philadelphia  an  edition  of  Dr. 
Watts'  "  H3-mns."  An  edition  of  Dr.  Watts'  "  Psalms"  appeared 
m  Boston  the  same  year.  These  Psalms  or  Hymns  found  their  way 
into  some  of  the  scattered  Baptist  churches  along  the  Atlantic  sea- 
board. In  the  New  England  Baptist  churches  in  all  probability  the 
singing  was  not  unlike  that  in  the  churches  of  the  "  Standing 
Order  ";  but  the  influences  that  retamed  "  The  Bay  Psalm  Book  "  in 
use  in  the  Puritan  chui'ches  were  not  as  forceful  in  Baptist  churches. 
When  Isaac  Backus,  in  his  diary,  in  an  account  of  his  ordination  as 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Middleborough,  Mass.,  June  23, 1756, 
says,  "  We  concluded  with  singing  the  first  part  of  the  132  Psalm," 
the  reference,  I  am  inchned  to  think,  was  not  to  "  The  Bay  Psalm 
Book,"  but  to  Dr.  Watts'  version. 

The  first  American  Baptist  hymn  book,  entitled  "Hymns  and 
Spiritual  Songs,  Collected  from  the  Works  of  Several  Authors,"  was 
printed  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  in  17G6,  by  Samuel  Hall,  and  was  sold  by 
William  Rogers  and  Clarke  Brown.  Only  two  copies  of  this  book, 
so  far  as  I  can  learn,  are  in  existence  at  the  present  lime.  One  is  in 
the  Library  of  Brown  University,  in  the  Harris  Collection  of  Ameri- 
can Poetry,  and  the  other  is  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  in  a  collection  of 
local  publications.  The  book  opens  with  sixteen  hymns  for  use  in 
connection  with  the  ordinance  of  Baptism.  These  are  followed  with 
seventy-four  hymns  on  the  Lord's  Supper.  The  rest  of  the  collec- 
tion consists  of  "  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs,"  forty-eight  in  number. 
The  compiler  is  unknown.  The  names  of  the  authors  of  the  hymns 
are  not  given,  but  one  of  the  "  hymns  for  baptism,"  number  xiv, — 
"on  the  Six  Principles  of  Christ's  doctrine"  —  was  evidently  the 
work  of  a  Rhode  Island  Baptist.  Among  the  "  Supper  Hymns  "  are 
the  familiar  lines  by  Watts, 

"Jesus  invites  h:s  saints," 

"  T'  was  on  tbat  dark  and  doleful  night," 

"Tlie  promise  of  my  Father's  love," 

"  How  condescending  and  how  kind," 

"  Jesus  is  gone  above  the  skies," 

"  When  I  survey  the  wondrous  cross," 

"  Nature  with  open  volume  stands," 

♦'  How  sweet  and  awful  is  the  place." 


APPENDIX.  641 

The  next  American  Baptist  hymn  book  was  published  in  Phila- 
delphia in  178i,  by  Enoch  Story,  jr.  It  was  entitled  "  A  Choice  Col- 
lection of  Hymns  from  Various  Authors  Adapted  to  Public  Worship. 
Designed  for  the  Edification  of  the  Pious  of  all  Denominations,  but 
more  particularly  for  the  Use  of  the  Baptist  churches  in  Phila- 
delphia." 

This  was  followed  by  "  Hj-mns  on  Different  Spiritual  Subjects,  In 
two  Parts.  Part  I,  containing  xxvi  Hymns  on  various  Subjects 
suitable  for  Christian  Worship.  By  Benjamin  Cleavland.  Fourth 
Edition,  Part  ii,  containing  xxxii  Hymas.  By  Anna  Beeman, 
of  Warren,  Connecticut.  And  xxiv  Hymns  by  Amos  AYells. 
To  which  is  added  a  number  of  Hymns  by  diffarent  Authors.  Partic- 
ularly adapted  to  Baptist  Worship.  Norwich.  Printed  by  John 
Trumbull,  m.dcc.xcii."  Hon.  J.  H.  Trumbull,  of  Hartford,  Conn., 
who  has  the  only  copy  of  this  hymn  book,  of  which  I  have  heard,  and 
who  furnishes  me  with  the  above  title,  says  the  margin  of  the  page 
where  the  date  of  publication  appears  is  much  worn,  and  that  the 
date  may  be  xciii,  instead  of  xcii.  The  words,  "  Fourth  Edition," 
seem  to  refer  to  Mr.  Cleavland's  "  Hymns,"  which,  perhaps,  were 
first  printed  by  themselves,  in  Nova  Scotia,  whither  Mr.  Cleavland 
removed  fi-om  Connecticut  after  the  expulsion  of  the  Acadians,  and 
where  he  remained  until  his  death,  in  1811.  He  was  the  author  of 
the  beautiful  hymn, 

O  could  I  find  from  day  to  day. 

None  of  the  hymns  of  Anna  Beeman  and  Amos  Wells  are  now  in 
use,  but  a  hymn  on  baptism,  by  the  former,  consisting  of  sixteen 
stanzas,  "  composed  about  the  time  she  was  baptized,"  commencing, 

"What  think  you,  my  friends,  of  the  preaching  of  John, 

is  found  in  some  of  the  collections  in  use  in  Baptist  churches  about  the 
beginning  of  the  present  century. 

In  1790,  appeared  the  "  Selection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns,  Done 
under  the  appointment  of  the  Philadelphian  Association.  By  Samuel 
Jones,  D.D.,  and  Burgis  Allison,  a.m."  The  first  reference  to  this 
book  is  in  the  minutes  of  the  Philadelphia  Association  under  date  of 
April,  1788.  The  record  is  as  follows:  "  Our  brethren  Samuel  Jones, 
David  Jones,  and  Burgis  Allison  are  appointed  a  committee  to  pre- 
pare a  collection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  for  the  use  of  the  associated 
churches."  Eight  of  the  hymns  in  this  selection  are  from  the  New- 
port Collection  of  1766.    Many  were  taken  from  Rippon's  "  Selec- 


642  BAPTIST  HYMN"  WRITERS. 

tion  "  of  1787.  A  second  edition  was  published  in  1801,  and  the 
third  in  1807.  The  fourth  edition  (1818)  contained  forty-eight  added 
hymns  in  an  appendix.  Rev.  Samuel  Jones,  d.d.,  was  born  in 
Glamorganshire,  "Wales,  Januaiy  14,  1735,  and  when  two  years  of 
age  he  was  brought  to  this  country  l)y  his  parents.  He  was  educated 
at  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  17G3,  became  pastor  of  the 
Lower  Dublin  Baptist  church,  a  position  which  he  held  until  his 
death  February  7, 1814.  He  was  probably  the  most  influential  Bap- 
tist minister  in  the  Middle  Colonies,  and  aided  in  the  founding  of 
Ehode  Island  College,  now  Brown  University.  Rev.  Burgis  Allison, 
D.D.,  was  born  in  Bordentown,  N".  J.,  August  17,  1753,  studied  for 
the  ministry  under  Rev.  Samuel  Jones,  was  ordained  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Bordentown,  and  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished  and 
useful  of  the  ministers  of  his  time.     He  died  February  20,  1827. 

An  American  edition  of  Rippon's  "  Selection  "  was  published  at 
Elizabeth  Town,  N.  J.,  in  1792.  I  have  not  seen  a  copy  of  this 
edition,  but  one  was  recently  sold  in  London  in  a  collection  of  old 
hymn  books,  in  an  advertisement  of  which  this  edition  of  Rippon's 
"  Selection,"  with  place  and  date,  was  expressly  mentioned.  Befox*e 
my  order  reached  London,  the  collection  had  been  sold. 

In  1793,  "  A  Collection  of  Evangelical  Hymns.  By  John  Stanford, 
M.A.,  "  was  published  in  Kew  York,  "  printed  by  Thomas  and  James 
Swords,  No.  27,  Williams  Street."  Dr.  Stanford  was  born  in  AYands- 
worth,  Surry,  England,  October  20,  1754.  By  study  of  the  Scriptures 
he  was  led  to  unite  with  the  Baptists.  He  was  ordained  in  1781,  and 
having  served  as  pastor  a  few  years  at  Hammersmith,  he  came  to 
this  country  in  1780,  and  opened  a  select  school  in  New  York.  He 
believed  he  had  a  call  to  teach  as  a  means  of  support,  and  to  preach 
gratuitously.  In  the  lecture  room  of  his  school  he  held  religious 
services,  the  result  of  which  was  the  organization  of  a  church  in 
1795.  In  1807,  he  began  to  preach  in  the  New  York  Almshouse, 
and  having  been  appointed  chaplain  of  the  City  Hospital  and  Alms- 
house, he  was  at  length  made  Chaplain  of  the  State  Prison,  various 
asylums  and  other  institutions,  in  connection  with  which  he  per- 
formed a  service  for  his  master  which  extended  over  twenty  years, 
and  was  full  of  blessing  to  multitudes.  In  1829,  Union  Collpge  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity.  He  died  Janu- 
ary 14,  18.34.  Dr.  Stanford's  "  Collection  of  Evangelical  Hymns  " 
was  designed  to  assist  the  devotions  of  his  own  congregation.  It 
contained  two  hundred  hymns,  including  selections  from  Watts, 


APPENDIX.  643 

Steele,  Beddome,  Stennett,  Medle}',  Xeedham,  Pawcett,  Eobinson, 
Topladj^,  Doddridge,  Hart  aud  the  best  English  hymn  writers  of  his 
time. 

The  "  Hymns  "  of  Rev.  Richard  Burnham  were  published  in  Lon- 
don in  1783.  An  American  edition  printed  by  Thomas  Hall,  was 
published  in  Boston  in  1796,  under  the  auspices  of  Rev.  John  Asp- 
lund,  Mr.  Asplund  was  a  native  of  Sweden,  but  in  1775,  crossed 
over  into  England.  For  a  while  he  served  in  the  British  navj^;  then 
deserting  he  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  North  Carolina. 
Here  he  was  converted  and  in  1782,  he  united  with  the  Baptist 
church  at  Ballard's  Bridge,  Chowan  County.  Subsequently  he 
removed  to  Southampton,  Ya.,  where  he  was  ordained.  For  the  pur- 
pose of  gathering  statistics  concerning  American  Baptist  churches 
he  traveled  extensively,  and  in  1791,  he  published  his  first  "  Baptist 
Register."  A  second  followed  in  1794.  In  1807,  he  was  drowned  in 
attempting  to  cross  Fishing  Creek,  Va. 

In  1707,  appeared  "  Divine  Hymns,  or  Spiritual  Songs:  for  the  use 
of  Religious  Assemblies  and  Private  Christians.  Being  a  Collection 
by  Joshua  Smith,  and  others.  Eighth  Edition.  "With  large  additions 
and  alterations.  By  William  Northup,  V.D.3I.,  Norwich:  Printed  and 
Sold  by  John  Sterry  &  Co.,  m.dcc.xcvii."  So  far  as  I  am  aware  no 
copy  of  an  earlier  edition  of  this  collection  of  hymns  is  in  existence. 
The  ninth  edition  was  published  at  Norwich,  in  1799,  and  the 
eleventh  in  1808.  Concerning  Joshua  Smith,  I  can  only  learn  that 
he  became  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Brentwood,  N.  H., 
June  17,  1792.  In  later  editions,  the  names  of  the  compilers  are 
Joshua  Smith  and  Samuel  Sleeper.  The  latter,  also,  was  a  member 
of  the  Brentwood  church.  I  have  seen  a  copy  of  the  eighth  edition 
printed  at  Exeter,  N.  11.,  in  1801.  In  1803,  an  edition  of  Smith  and 
Sleeper's  "Divine  Hymns,"  with  thirty-two  additional  hymns,  was 
printed  for  Thomas  Clark,  Portland,  Me.  This  was  the  first  hymn 
book  used  by  the  First  Baptist  church,  Portland,  whose  meeting- 
house was  ready  for  use  in  July,  1803.  In  none  of  the  editions  I 
have  seen  are  the  names  of  the  authors  of  the  hymns  given.  The 
second  hymn  is  entitled  "  Christ  the  apple  tree,"  and  commences 

The  Tree  of  life,  my  soul  hath  seen, 
Laden  with  fruit,  and  always  green. 
The  trees  of  nature,  fruitless  be, 
Compar'd  with  Christ  the  appletree. 

This  beauty  doth  all  things  excel. 
By  faith  I  know,  but  ne '  er  can  tell 
The  glory  which  I  now  can  see 
In.  Jesas  Christ  the  appletree. 


644  BAPTIST  IIYMX  WRITERS. 

Rev.  F.  ^r.  Bird,  the  well-known  hymnologist,  informs  me  that  this 
hyniu  of  seven  stanzas  first  appeared  in  the  London  Spiritual  Maga- 
zine, August,  17G1,  ascribed  to  "  E.  H."  A  few  of  the  hymns  in  this 
collection  are  still  in  use. 

"  The  Christian's  Pocket  Companion:  Being  a  Collection  of  Hymns 
and  Spiritual  Songs  for  the  use  of  Christians,  a  number  never  before 
published.  Selected  by  .John  Courtney,  sr.,"  was  published  m  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  in  1805,  printed  by  John  Courtney,  jr.  Only  an  imper- 
fect copy  of  this  hymn  book  has  come  into  my  possession,  and  for 
this  I  am  indebted  to  Rev.  H.  A.  Tupper,  d  r>.,  of  Richmond,  Va. 
From  the  preface  I  learn  that  this  first  edition  of  Courtney's  Hymns 
contained  one  hundred  and  eighty-one  hymns,  and  "  one  hundred 
and  seventy-eight  pages  of  choice  Spiritual  Songs."  A  revised  edi- 
tion entitled,  "  A  Selection  of  Il3-mns  from  Various  Authors, 
Adapted  to  Public  Worship  and  Social  Meetings.  By  John  Court- 
ney. With  an  Appendix,"  was  published  in  Richmond,  in  1831.  Mr. 
Courtney  was  born  in  1744,  in  King  and  Queen  Co.,  Ya.  Of  his 
early  history  little  is  known.  His  conversion  occurred  at  the  time  of 
the  great  revival  under  the  preaching  of  John  Waller,  Lewis  Craig, 
James  Childs,  John  Shackleford,  Robert  Ware,  Iverson  Lewis,  and 
others.  Having  been  ordained,  he  was  pastor,  till  1788,  of  the  Upper 
College  church,  now  Rehoboth,  in  King  William  Co.,  and  then  for 
thirty-six  years  he  was  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Rich- 
mond, Va.  In  addition  to  his  pastoral  labors,  for  a  time  at  least,  he 
"  wrought  with  his  own  hands  ministering  to  his  necessities,"  and 
to  the  necessities  of  his  family.  "  Faithfulness,  affection,  disinterest- 
edness and  zeal "  says  an  old  register  of  the  church,  "  marked  his 
whole  career."     He  died  in  Richmond,  December  18, 1824. 

A  collection  of  hymns,  compiled  by  Rev.  Archibald  Maclae, 
[Maclay],  was  published  in  New  York  in  1806.  It  was  entitled  "  A 
Selection  of  Hymns  for  Public  Worship,"  and  contained  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty-eight  hymns.  In  later  editions  the  work  was  enlarged. 
Dr.  Maclay  was  born  in  Killearn,  Scotland,  May  14, 1778.  In  1802, 
he  was  preaching  in  a  Congregational  church  at  Kirkcaldy  in  Fife- 
shire.  In  1804,  he  accepted  an  appointment  as  a  missionary  to  the 
East  Indies,  but  on  account  of  govermental  interference  he  was 
compelled  to  change  his  plans,  and  he  made  his  way  to  New  York, 
where  he  organized  a  Congregational  church.  He  was  at  length  led 
to  embrace  Baptist  views,  and  having  organized  the  Tabernacle 
church,  he  became  pastor,  and  served  the  church  until  1837.     For 


APPENDIX.  645 

many  years  subsequently  he  was  connected  with  the  American  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society  and  the  Bible  Union.     He  died  May  2,  18G0. 

Another  New  York  Baptist  minister,  Rev.  William  Parkinson, 
pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  published,  in  1809,  "  A  Selection 
of  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs.  In  two  Parts.  Part  i,  containing  the 
Hymns.  Part  ii,  containing  the  Songs.  Designed  (especially  the 
former  part)  for  the  use  of  Congregations.  As  an  Appendix  to  Dr. 
Watts'Psalms  and  Hymns."  The  collection  contained  four  hundred 
and  twenty  hymns,  a  few  doxologies,  and  one  hundred  and  forty-nine 
spiritual  songs,  of  which  a  few  were  written  by  Mr.  Parkinson  him- 
self. In  most  congregations  at  that  time,  says  Mr.  Parkinson,  "Watts' 
Psalms  and  Hymns  were  in  constant  use.  Rippon's  "  Selection,"  also, 
Avas  greatly  admired.  But  a  new  selection  seemed  desirable,  espec- 
ially to  furnish  "  a  greater  variety  and  more  correct  edition  of  what 
are  called  Spiritual  Songs." 

In  1812,  appeared  "  A  New  Selection  of  Hymns.  Designed  for 
the  Use  of  Conference  Meetings,  Private  Circles,  and  Congregations, 
as  a  Supplement  to  Dr.  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns.  By  William 
Collier,  a.m.,  minister  of  the  Gospel  in  Charlestown  [Mass]."  This 
collection  contained  four  hundred  and  ninety-nine  hymns.  The 
names  of  the  writers  are  not  given,  although  the  compiler  seems  to 
have  used  Rippon's  "  Selection  "  in  the  preparation  of  his  work. 
Mr.  Collier  was  born  in  Scituate,  Mass.,  October  11,  1771.  He  was 
graduated  in  1797,  at  Brown  University,  and  received  ordination  in 
Boston,  July  11,  1799.  After  pastorates  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  New 
York  city,  and  Charlestown,  Mass.,  he  was  appointed  "  minister  at 
large  "  in  Boston,  and  in  this  service,  eminently  useful,  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  days.     He  died  suddenly,  March  19, 1843. 

The  first  edition  of  "  The  Cluster  of  Spiritual  Songs,  Divine  Hymns 
and  Social  Poems:  Being  Chiefly  a  Collection.  By  Jesse  Mercer," 
was  published  at  Augusta,  Ga.,  in  pamphlet  form.  There  were  three 
editions  before  1817.  Subsequently,  the  "Cluster"  was  published 
in  Philadelphia,  the  fifth  edition,  corrected  and  enlarged  by  an 
appendix,  and  containing  six  hundred  and  seventy-six  hymns,  in 
1835.  Mercer's  "  Cluster"  has  had  a  place  in  the  service  of  song  in 
some  of  the  Southern  Baptist  churches,  nearly,  if  not  quite,  to  the 
present  time. 

A  collection  of  hymns  compiled  by  another  well-known  Baptist 
divine  in  Georgia,  Rev.  Hosea  Holcombe,  was  published  in  1815. 
Mr.  Holcombe  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  where  he  was  born 


646  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

about  1780.  He  entered  the  ministry,  and  served  a  while  in  upper 
South  Carolina.  Afterward  he  settled  in  Jefferson  Co.,  Ala.,  and 
was  prominent  in  laying  the  foundations  of  the  Baptist  cause  in  that 
State,  making  the  whole  State  his  field.  For  six  years  he  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Convention.  He  was  interested  in  education,  missions, 
and  was  ready  for  every  good  work.  Of  a  number  of  centennial 
pamphlets,  he  was  the  author,. and  he  also  wrote  a  "  History  of  the 
Alabama  Baptists,"  which  was  published  in  1840.     He  died  in  1841. 

"  A  Selection  of  Hymns,  from  the  Best  Authors,  designed  for 
the  Use  of  the  Baptist  and  Methodist  Denomination  of  Christians. 
By  Elders  Paul  Himes  and  Jonathan  Wilson,"  was  published  at 
Greenfield,  Mass.,  in  1817.  It  contained  two  hundred  and  seventeen 
hymns. 

In  most  of  the  churches,  however,  "Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns  still 
held  a  place.  Few  wished  to  have  them  displaced.  But  a  better 
arrangement  was  demanded.  In  1819,  appeared  "  An  Arrangement 
of  the  Psalms,  Hymns,  and  Spiritual  Songs  of  the  Rev.  Isaac  Watts, 
D.D.,  to  which  are  added  Indexes,  very  much  enlarged  and  improved. 
To  facilitate  the  use  of  the  whole  in  finding  Psalms  or  Hymns  suited 
to  particular  subjects  or  occasions.  By  James  Winchell,  a.m..  Pastor 
of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Boston.  Boston.  Printed  and  sold  by 
James  Loring  No.  2,  Cornhill."  To  the  Psalms  and  Hymns  was 
added  a  "  Selection  of  more  than  Three  Hundred  Hymns,  from  the 
most  approved  authors  on  a  Great  Variety  of  Subjects.  Among 
which  are  all  the  Hymns  of  Dr.  Watts,  adapted  to  Public  and 
Private  Worship,  not  found  in  the  editions  now  in  use."  In  pre- 
paring this  edition  Mr.  Winchell  derived  much  assistance  from  the 
re-arrangement  of  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns  made  by  Dr.  Rippon 
of  London  some  years  earlier.  Winchell's  Watts  was  welcomed 
with  growing  favor,  and  for  many  years  it  was  in  use  in  most  of  the 
Baptist  churches  in  New  England.  Rev.  James  Manning  Winchell 
was  born  at  North  East,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  September  8, 
1791.  He  was  a  student  in  Union  College  three  years,  and  then  he 
spent  a  year  at  Brown  University,  graduating  in  1812.  For  a  year 
he  supplied  the  pulpit  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Bristol,  R.  I.  Then 
he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Boston, 
where  he  was  installed  March  30,  1814.  Greatly  beloved  by  his 
people  and  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  Mr.  Winchell  died  of  con- 
sumption February  22, 1820.     lu  1832,  AVinchell's  Watts  was  enlarged 


APPENDIX.  647 

by  the  addition  of  two  hundred  hymns,  increasing  the  number  of 
hymns  on  missionary  and  other  subjects. 

About  the  same  time  that  Winchell  was  preparing  to  publish  his 
arrangement  of  Watts,  Rev.  Starke  Dupuy,  another  highly  esteemed  . 
young  Baptist  minister,  who,  in  1812,  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  established 
'•The  Kentucky  Missionary  and  Theologian,"  the  first  Baptist  peri- 
odical in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  published  in  western  Tennessee  his 
"Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs."  Twice  this  hymn  book  was  revised 
by  Mr.  Dupuy,  and  so  popular  did  it  become  that  many  editions  were 
printed  and  sold.  Rev.  J.  M.  Peck,  then  of  Rockspring,  111.,  had  the 
editorial  charge  of  a  "revised,  corrected  and  enlarged"  edition  of 
Dupuy's  Hymns,  which  was  published  in  1843,  by  John  P.  Morton 
&  Co.,  Louisville,  Ky.  In  his  preface,  Mr.  Peck  says:  "  Elder  Starke 
Dupuy  was  a  worthy,  pious  and  devoted  minister  of  the  Gospel  in 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee  for  many  years,—  much  respected  by  the 
Baptist  denomination  to  which  he  belonged,  and  by  Christians 
generally." 

About  the  same  time,  also,  Rev.  S.  M.  Noel  published  his  "  Selec- 
tion of  Hymns,  Psalms  and  Spiritual  Songs."  The  second  edition, 
"  carefully  revised  and  extensively  improved  by  Silas  M.  Noel  and 
Jeremiah  Vardeman,"  was  published  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  in  1821. 
The  "  Selection  "  was  from  the  hymns  of  Watts,  Cowper,  Newton, 
Doddridge,  Steele,  Stennett,  Swain,  Beddome,  and  others.  "  In  one 
particular,  at  least,"  say  the  compilers  in  their  preface,  "  this  collec- 
tion differs  from  all  that  we  have  noticed.  No  attempt  has  been 
made  to  improve  the  work  of  these  Poets.  All  interpolations  and 
alterations  have  been  carefully  excluded  "  Rev.  Silas  M.  Noel, 
D.D.,  was  born  in  Richmond,  Ya.,  Aug.  13,  1783.  He  received  a 
classical  education  and  entered  upon  the  profession  of  law  at  Frank- 
fort, Ky.  After  a  few  years  of  successful  practice,  however,  he  was 
ordained  and  became  pastor  of  the  Big  Spring  Baptist  church  in 
Woodford  Co.  In  1813,  he  edited  and  published  "  The  Gospel  Her- 
ald" at  Frankfort,  Ky.  About  the  year  1817,  he  was  appointed 
judge  of  the  circuit  court.  After  several,  years  upon  the  bench,  he 
returned  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  He  is  said  to  have  baptized 
more  people  than  any  other  preacher  in  Kentucky.  His  last  pastor- 
ate was  at  Lexington,  where  he  died.  May  5, 1839.     Rev.  Jeremiah 

Vardeman  wa.s  born  in  ,  Kentucky,  in  1775,  and  was  ordained 

about  the  year  1801.     He  organized  Baptist  churches  in  Bardstown, 
Lexington,  Ky.,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  later,  with  Spencer  Black,  in 


648  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

Palm3'ra,  Mo.  In  1834,  he  presided  at  the  first  meeting  held  in 
Missouri  with  reference  to  general  missionary  work.  It  is  said  that 
he  baptized  more  than  eight  thousand  persons.     He  died  May  8,1842. 

The  first  American  edition  of  the  "  Psalms  and  Hymns  of  Dr. 
Watts,  arranged  b}'^  Dr.  Rippon;  with  Dr.  Rippon's  Selection,"  was 
published  in  Philadelphia  in  1820.  In  this  Philadelphia  edition  of 
1820,  there  was  so  much  abbreviation  in  the  table  of  first  lines,  that 
in  many  cases  it  was  exceedingly  difficult,  and  in  some  cases  impossi- 
ble, to  distinguish  the  hymns.  A  second  edition,  with  larger  type 
and  various  improvements,  especially  a  new  table  of  first  lines, 
appeared  in  1827.  This  new  edition  was  recommended  by  several 
Baptist  pastors  in  Philadelphia  to  "  all  Baptist  churches  throughout 
the  country,"  as  "the  best  book  of  Psalms,  Hymns  and  Spiritual 
Songs  in  use  among  Christians."  In  1842,  an  edition  "  corrected  and 
improved  "  by  Rev.  C.  G.  Sommers,  pastor  of  the  South  Baptist 
Church  in  iNTew  York,  and  Rev.  John  Dagg,  President  of  the  Ala- 
bama Female  Atheneum,  was  published  by  J.  B.  Lippincott  &  Co., 
Philadelphia. 

In  1821,  appeared  "  A  Selection  of  Hymns  for  Conference  and 
Prayer  Meetings.  By  Thomas  B.  Ripley,  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Portland"  [Me.]  It  was  printed  in  Portland  by  Th. 
Todd  &  Co.  None  of  the  hymns  were  selected  from  Watts,  "  for  it 
was  supposed  that  those  who  might  procure  this  Selection  would  be 
familiarly  acquainted  with  his  hymns."  For  the  same  reason  only  a 
few  were  taken  from  the  supplement  to  WinchelPs  arrangement  of 
Watts.  The  collection  comprised  one  hundred  and  fifteen  hymns. 
A  second  edition,  revised  and  enlarged,  was  published  in  Bangor, 
Me.,  in  1831. 

The  fifth  edition  of  "  The  Pawtucket  Collection  of  Conference 
Hymns,"  by  David  Benedict,  a.m..  Pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  was  published  in  1822,  by  Miller  and  Hutchens, 
Providence.  I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  the  date  of  the  first 
edition.  The  seventh  edition,  somewhat  enlarged  was  published  in 
183^^,  and  the  eighth  edition  in  1843.  The  fifth  edition  contains  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  hymns. 

In  l'<2o,  Rev.  Absalom  Graves,  published  his  "  Hymns,  Psalms 
and  Spiritual  Songs,  including  some  never  before  in  Print."  Mr. 
Graves  was  born  in  Culpepper  County,  Va.,  November  28,  1768. 
Converted  in  his  twentieth  year,  he  united  with  the  Baptist  church 
at  the  Rapidan  meeting  house.    In  1797,  he  crossed  the  AUeghanies 


APPENDIX.  649 

and  settled  in  Boone  County,  Ky.,  uniting  with  the  Bullittsburg 
Baptist  church.  In  1810,  he  was  licensed  to  preach.  In  April,  1812, 
he  was  ordained,  and  with  Chichester  Matthews  as  an  associate  he 
entered  upon  the  pastorate  of  the  Bullittsburg  church.  Here  his 
useful  and  successful  labors  were  continued  until  nearly  the  close  of 
1825,  when  on  account  of  failing  health  his  ministry  came  to  an  end. 
He  died  August  17,  1836.  One  of  his  last  efforts  in  the  service  of 
Christ  was  the  arrangement  of  his  selection  of  hymns.  The  collec- 
tion comprised  two  hundred  and  seventy  hymns  and  one  hundred 
and  eleven  spiritual  songs.  Rev.  J.  A.  Kirtley,  d.d.,  who  for  more 
than  thirty  years  has  been  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Bullitts- 
burg, Ky.,  thinks  that  some  of  the  hymns  in  this  collection  "  never 
before  in  print "   were  written  by  Mr.  Graves. 

"  The  Young  Christian's  Companion.  Being  a  Selection  of  Hymns 
Particularly  Adapted  to  Private  Devotion  and  Conference  Meetings," 
compiled  by  Bev.  G.  F.  Davis,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  South 
Beading,  Mass.,  was  published  in  1826.  A  second  edition  was  pub- 
lished in  1827.  Mr.  Davis  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  March  17, 
1797.  AVhile  serving  an  apprenticeship  in  Worcester,  he  was  con- 
verted and  united  with  the  Baptist  church.  He  commenced  to 
preach  when  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  June  13,  1816,  he  was 
ordained.  In  1818,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  South 
Beading,  where  he  remained  until  1829,  when  he  removed  to  Hart- 
ford, Conn.  Here  he  was  assistant  to  the  pastor  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist church,  and  afterward  pastor  of  the  church.  Weslej'an  University, 
in  1835,  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity.  He 
died,  greatly  lamented,  Sept.  17,  1836. 

The  American  edition  of  Dr.  Rippon's  "Selection,"  which  was 
published  in  Philadelphia,  in  1820,  was  appended  to  Rippon's 
arrangement  of  AVatts'  Psalms  and  Hymns.  But  there  were  those 
who  preferred  the  "  Selection  "  without  the  Psalms  and  Hymns,  but 
with  such  added  h3-mns,  from  other  sources,  as  were  now  obtainable. 
Accordingly,  in  1827,  Woodward's  revised  and  corrected  edition  of 
Rippon's  "  Selection,"  with  the  names  of  the  tunes  adapted  to  the 
hymns,  and  an  appendix  from  the  Olney  Hymns,  with  additional 
hymns,  original  and  selected,  was  published  in  Philadelphia,  under 
the  editorial  supervision  of  Dr.  William  Staughton. 

"  The  Dover  Selection  of  Spiritual  Songs,  With  an  Appendix  of 
Choice  Hymns  on  Various  Occasions;  Compiled  by  the  Recommen- 
dation of  the  Dover  Association,"   by  Rev.   Andrew  Broaddus,  of 


650  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

Caroline,  Va.,  was  published  in  1828.  In  his  preface  the  compiler 
says:  "It  is  chiefly  a  selection  of  those  compositions  generally 
termed  '  Spiritual  Songs, '  is  principally  intended  for  popular  use  and 
not  as  a  standard  book  for  the  desk,  or  the  leader  of  the  hymn  in 
public  worship."  A  second  edition,  containing  two  hundred  and 
four  hymns,  and  sixty-seven  in  the  supplement,  appeared  in  1829, 
an  evidence  of  the  popular  favor  with  which  the  Selection  was 
received. 

In  1829,  at  Exeter,  IST.  H.,  John  C.  Gerrish  published  "A  Selection 
of  Hymns;  including  a  few  Originals,  Designed  to  aid  the  Friends  of 
Zion  in  their  Private  and  Social  "Worship.  By  Enoch  W.  Freeman. 
Pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Lowell,  Mass."  "The  work 
of  revival  which  has  been  carried  forward  in  this  town  for  more  than 
three  years  past,"  says  the  compiler,  "  and  which  is  still  progressing, 
seems  to  call  for  a  greater  number  and  a  more  extensive  variety  of 
hymns  than  are  usually  found  in  collections  of  this  kind.  .  .  Care  has 
been  taken  to  select  those  hymns  which  are  best  adapted  to  be  sung 
in  'times  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.'"  The 
number  of  hymns  in  the  "  Selection  "  was  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
six. 

There  was  published,  also  in  1829,  at  Albany,  N".  Y.,  "A  Selec- 
tion of  Favorite  Hymns,  with  Historical  Sketches  of  Church  History, 
through  every  Century  of  the  Christian  Era.  By  J.  A.  Burke.  To- 
gether with  the  Articles  of  Faith,  Practice  and  Discipline  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  in  Albany."  The  historical  sketches  and  arti- 
cles of  faith  were  printed  in  1828,  and  were  bound  up  with  the  hymns 
in  the  following  year.  Mr.  Burke  was  a  deacon  of  the  First  Baptist 
church  in  Albany,  and  became  one  of  the  constituent  members  and 
a  deacon  of  the  Pearl  street,  now  the  Emmanuel  church. 

The  first  Baptist  hymn  book,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  in  which  there 
is  any  recognition  of  the  Sunday-school,  was  printed  in  Boston  in 

1829.  It  was  entitled,  "  Choice  Hymns,  for  Social  and  Private 
Devotion  and  Lord's  Day  Schools.  Selected  by  Jonathan  Howe." 
Mr.  Howe  was  a  printer,  and  a  member  of  the  First  Baptist  church, 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  of  which  at  the  time  Rev.  Henry  Jackson 
was  pastor.  A  committee  of  the  church,  of  which  Mr.  Jackson  was 
chairman,  commended  the  selection. 

In  what  year  the  first  edition  of"  Dossey's  Choice  "  was  published, 
I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain.    Tlie  third  edition  appeared  iu 

1830,  and  a  fourth  in  1833.    The  title  in  full  is  as  follows:    "  The 


APPEN^DIX.  651 

Choice:  in  Two  Parts.  Part  i,  containing  Psalms  and  Hymns.  Part 
II,  containing  Spiritual  Songs.  Designed  for  Public  and  Private  Wor- 
ship, By  AVilliam  Dossey,  Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  on  Society 
Hill,  S.  C.  Philadelphia.  Printed  for  the  Compiler.  By  Martin  and 
Boden."  The  third  edition  contained  seven  hundred  and  forty-six 
hymns,  and  the  copyright  was  in  the  name  of  William  T.  Brantley. 
This  book  for  many  years  had  an  extensive  circulation  in  the  south. 
"  A  collection  of  Psalms,  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs.  By  Luke 
Barker,  m.d.,"  was  published  in  Xew  York  in  1831.  The  collection 
comprised  four  hundred  and  seven  h3'mns.  Dr.  Barker  was  a  highly 
respected  member  of  the  medical  profession.  He  was,  also,  an 
ordained  Baptist  minister,  and  for  a  while  was  pastor  of  the  Laurens 
Street  Baptist  church,  in  New  York  city.  At  one  time  he  was  asso- 
ciated with  Rev.  J.  L.  Thompson,  a  returned  missionary,  in  the 
conduct  of  the  Gospel  Witness,  a  Xew  York  Baptist  paper.  He  died, 
after  a  short  illness,  Dec.  13,  1849. 

In  1832,  Rev.  B.  M.  Hill,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  in 
'New  Haven,  Conn.,  published  his  "  Hymns  of  Zion:  Being  a  Selec- 
tion of  Hymns  for  Social  Worship,  compiled  chiefly  for  the  use  of 
Baptist  churches."  Dr.  Hill  was  born  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  April  5, 
1793.  In  1818,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Stafford,  Conn.,  and  served  the  church  three  years.  In  1821,  he  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Xew  Haven, 
Conn.,  where  his  ministry  was  greatly  blessed.  In  1830,  he  accepted 
the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Troy,  N.  Y.  Ten  vears 
later  he  became  corresponding  secretary  of  the  American  Baptist 
Home  Mission  Society,  a  position  which  he  filled  with  honor  and  use- 
fulness twenty-two  years.  He  died  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Jan.  15, 
1881. 

Also,  in  1832,  appeared  the  "Manual  of  Christian  Psalmody:  A 
Collection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns,  for  Public  Worship.  Boston:  Per- 
kins, Morris  &  Co."  This  was  a  Baptist  edition  of  "  Church  Psal- 
mody." Rev.  Rufus  Babcock,  jr.,  then  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
church  in  Salem,  Mass.,  recognizing  the  superior  merits  of  this  new 
hymn  book,  compiled  by  Lowell  Mason  and  David  Greene,  adapted 
it  to  the  tenets  of  Baptist  churches.  Professors  Chase  and  Ripley, 
of  Newton  Theological  Institution,  commended  it  "  to  the  favorable 
regard  of  the  public,"  adding,  "  we  trust  that  the  time  is  not  far  dis- 
tant, when  a  book  like  this  will  exert  its  happy  influence  in  all  of  our 
churches." 


652  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

In  1834,  Rev.  Staunton  S.  Burdett,  of  Pleasant  Hill,  S.  C,  pub- 
lished "The  Baptist  Harmony,  being  a  Selection  of  Choice  Hymns 
and  Spiritual  Songs  for  Social  Worship."  "  The  number  of  precious 
revivals  of  I'eligiou,"  says  Mr.  Burdett,  "  and  the  great  increase  of 
members  to  our  churches,  and  the  constitution  of  many  new  churches, 
make  a  great  demand  for  a  suitable  new  Hymn  Book.  And  at  the 
present,  when  there  is  so  much  doing  for  the  spread  of  the  glorious 
gospel  of  the  blessed  Redeemer,  by  means  of  the  various  benevolent 
institutions  of  the  day,  it  is  of  importance  that  we  should  have 
Hymns  suitable  for  the  different  occasions."  The  collection  con- 
tained five  hundred  and  four  hymns.  A  new  edition  was  published 
in  1842. 

H.  Miller's  "  'New  Selection  of  Psalms,  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs, 
from  the  best  Authors,  Designed  for  the  Use  of  Conference  Meet- 
ings, Private  Circles  and  Congregations,"  was  published  in  Cincin- 
nati in  1835.  The  "  Selection "  had  an  extensive  sale,  and  the 
thirteenth  edition  was  printed  in  1842.  It  contained  one  thousand 
and  twelve  hymns.  Mr.  Miller  was  the  grandfather  of  H.  Thane 
Miller  of  Cincinnati.  He  came  from  England  in  early  life,  and  soon 
after  his  marriage  settled  in  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  where  Henry 
Miller  jr.,  (father  of  H.  Thane  Miller)  and  two  daughters  were  born. 
Subsequently  he  removed  to  Cincinnati,  O.,  where  he  engaged  in 
business.  Much  of  his  time  he  gave  to  church  work.  He  was  pas- 
sionately fond  of  music,  especially  church  music.  "  To  be  useful  to 
to  all,"  he  says  in  his  preface,  "  is  the  highest  aim  of  my  ambition, 
but  especially  to  the  poor  and  distressed  of  the  household  of  faith. 
I  wish  all  who  love  Christ,  did  more  sensibly  enjoy  the  happiness 
that  results  from  singing  the  praise  of  God." 

In  183.J,  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  Stevens  and  Young  published  "  The 
Conference  Manual,  Containing  a  Selection  of  Devotional  Hymns 
for  Social,  Religious  Meetings."  It  was  compiled  by  Rev.  Ebenezer 
E.  Cummings  and  Rev.  Edmund  AVorth,  and  contained  two  hundred 
and  ninety  strictly  devotional  hymns.  Dr.  Cummings  was  born  at 
Claremont,  ]Sr.  II.,  November  9,  1800.  He  was  graduated  at  Water- 
ville  College,  Waterville,  Me.,  in  1828,  and  September  17,  of  that 
year  he  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Salisbury,  ]^. 
II.  In  March,  1833,  he  removed  to  Concord,  N.  H.,  where  he 
became  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church.  In  this  position  he 
remained  until  June,  1850.  Subsequently  he  labored  in  Xewark,  X. 
J.,  Springfield,  Mass.,  and  Pittsfield,  N.  H.    January  11,  1854,  he 


APPENDIX.  653 

became  pastor  of  the  Pleasant  street,  Baptist  church  in  Concord,  N. 
H.  His  pastorate  of  this  church  continued  fourteen  years.  lie  died 
in  Concord,  February  22, 1886.  Mr.  "Worth  was  born  in  AVest  Xew- 
bury,  Mass.,  October  12,  1804.  Graduating  from  the  theological 
department  of  the  Literary  and  Theological  Institute  at  Xew  Hamp- 
ton, N.  H.,  in  1830,  he  was  ordained  in  October  following  at  Hebron, 
N".  H.  In  Januar}^  1831,  he  became  editor  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Baptist  Register,  published  at  Concord,  and  in  that  position  he 
remained  until  1815,  when  the  Register  was  united  with  the  Chris- 
tian Reflector,  Boston.  For  one  year  he  conducted  the  Xew  Hamp- 
shire department  in  the  Reflector.  In  1864,  he  commenced  pastoral 
labor  in  Fisherville,  ]Sr.  H.,  now  Penacook,  where  a  Baptist  church 
was  organized.  Hei*e  he  remained  until  1856,  when  he  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  atlvennebunk  Tillage,  Me. 
Here  he  still  prosecutes  his  ministry,  full  of  years  and  widely 
esteemed,  the  oldest  Baptist  pastor,  and  the  longest  settled  Baptist 
pastor,  in  Maine. 

The  first  edition  of  "  Select  Hymns,  Adapted  to  the  Devotional 
Exercises  of  the  Baptist  Denomination.  By  James  H.  Linsley  and 
Gustavus  F.  Davis,"  was  published  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  in  1836. 
Mr.  Davis  was  the  compiler  of  "  The  Young  Christian's  Companion  " 
(1826)  already  noticed.  Rev.  James  H.  Linsley  was  born  in  iN'orth 
Branford,  Conn.,  May  5,  1787.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in 
1817.  After  teaching  a  while  be  began  to  preach  and  was  ordained 
an  evangelist  at  Meriden,  Conn.,  in  1831.  He  preached  at  Milford 
and  Stratford,  but  his  health  failed  in  1836,  and  he  was  laid  aside 
from  ministerial  labors.  He  died  December  29,  1843,  greatly 
lamented  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends. 

The  same  year,  Isaac  Truil,  IN".  Carolina  and  Lucas  &  Deaver, 
Baltimore,  published  "Christian  Melodies,  or  a  Collection  of  Hymns, 
Adapted  to  the  Devotions  of  the  Closet,  the  Family  and  the  Church. 
By  Stephen  P.  Hill,  Pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  Baltimore." 
The  aim  of  the  compiler  was  to  bring  together  in  one  volume  what 
he  regarded  as  the  best  hymns.  The  collection  contained  six  hun- 
dred and  fifty-four  hymns,  including  twenty-four  originals  by  the 
compiler. 

Also,  in  1836,  appeared  the  first  edition  of  "  The  Virginia  Selection 
of  Psalms,  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs;  from  the  most  Approved 
Authors,  Adapted  to  the  Various  Occasions  of  Public  Worship  and 
Social  Meetings.     In  three  Parts,  Selected  and  Arranged  by  Andrew 


654  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

Broaddus,"  the  compiler  of  the  Dover  Selection.  In  1842,  appeared 
a  third  edition,  revised  and  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  one  hundred 
and  eighty  hymns,  the  first  edition  having  been  found  defective  "  in 
regard  to  the  number  and  variety  of  hymns  for  the  common  occasions 
of  public  service";  and  he  adds,  "a  few  of  them,  particularly  of 
those  which  are  generally  termed  "  Spiritual  Songs,"  may  not  be 
capable  of  standing  the  test  of  a  refined  criticism.  On  this  point  let 
it  suffice  to  say,  that  as  the  book  is  designed  for  popular  as  well  as 
for  pulpit  use,  some  allowance  must  be  made  for  popular  liking — 
some  sacrifice  at  the  altar  of  devotional  feeling." 

From  the  press  of  J.  Howe,  Boston,  appeared,  in  1839,  "Kevival 
Hymns,  Selected  with  Alterations.  By  John  Butler."  This  little 
collection  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  hymns  was  evidently  com- 
piled for  the  purpose  of  having,  in  a  convenient  form,  hymns  adapted 
to  evangelistic  uses.  Kev.  John  Butler  was  born  in  Nottingham 
West,  X.  H.,  April  1.3,  1789.  In  1810,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  Hanover,  Mass.  After  a  pastorate  of  fourteen 
years,  he  removed  to  "Waterville,  Me.,  where  he  established  a  school 
for  3'oung  ladies.  He  was  subsequently  pastor  at  East  Winthrop  and 
North  Yarmouth.  Oct.  15, 1835,  he  resigned  his  pastorate  at  North 
Yarmouth,  and  during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  he  devoted  himself 
to  evangelistic  work,  especially  among  the  feeble  chui'ches.  He  died 
at  the  home  of  his  son,  in  Franklin,  Ohio,  July  1 ,  1856. 

"  Hymns  for  the  Vestry  and  Fireside,"  compiled  by  Rev.  S.  S. 
Cutting,  D.D.,  followed,  in  1841.  This  collection  was  published  in 
Boston  by  Gould,  Kendall  and  Lincoln,  and  was  designed  "  to  meet  a 
well  known  want  of  the  churches  —  the  want  of  a  hymn  book  for 
vestry  and  family  use,  differing  from  a  collection  for  church  service, 
rather  in  the  number  than  in  the  quality  of  the  hymns ;  one  preserv- 
ing truth  and  fervor  of  sentiment,  and  at  the  same  time  excluding 
such  hymns  as  are  offensive  to  good  taste;  in  a  word,  one  composed 
of  evangelical  poetry,  suitable  to  be  sung,  and  adapted  to  the  occa- 
sions of  worship  already  named."  Admirably,  this  collection  of 
three  hundred  and  eighty  hymns  was  adapted  to  meet  this  want. 

"  The  Baptist  Hymn  Book;  Original  and  Selected.  In  two  Parts. 
By  W.  C.  Buck,  Pastor  of  the  East  Baptist  church,  Louisville,  Ky.," 
was  published  in  Louisville,  in  1842.  The  first  part  contained  eight 
hundred  and  sixty-eight  "Hymns,"  and  the  second  part  about  two 
hundred  "  Songs."  Withiu  two  years,  about  ten  thousand  copies  of 
this  hymn  book  were  sold,  chiefly  in  the  states  of  the  Mississippi 


APPENDIX.  655 

valley,  and  in  1844,  a  new  "  carefully  revised  and  stereotyped  edi- 
tion," appeared  "with  a  few  choice  hymns  added  to  the  second 
part,"  making  the  number  two  hundred  and  eleven.  In  this  enlarged 
form,  "The  Baptist  Hymn  Book"  long  held  a  place  in  the  Baptist 
churches  of  the  Middle,  Western  and  Southern  States. 

In  1843,  J.  B.  Lippincott  &  Co.,  Philadelphia,  published  "Hymns 
for  Social  Meetings;  Selected  by  A.  T>.  Gillette."  Dr.  Gillette  was  at 
this  time  pastor  of  the  Eleventh  Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia.  He 
loved  the  social  meetings  of  the  church,  and  in  this  collection,  con- 
taining two  hundred  and  one  hymns,  were  included,  for  the  most 
part,  well  known  favorites,  especially  adapted  for  use  in  prayer 
meetings. 

In  the  same  year,  Gould,  Kendall  and  Lincoln,  Boston,  published 
"The  Psalmist;  a  new  Collection  of  Hymns  for  the  use  of  Baptist 
Churches.  By  Baron  Stow  and  S.  F.  Smith."  This  collection  was 
designed  to  take  the  place  which  Winchell's  Watts  and  Watts  and 
Eippon  had  long  held  in  the  New  England  and  Middle  States.  The 
compilers  aimed  to  make  a  selection  that  should  "  tend  to  the  eleva- 
tion of  evangelical  taste,  the  interest  of  worship,  and  the  diffusion  of 
a  more  fervent  piety."  The  collection  proved  to  be  one  of  marked 
excellence.  A  committee  of  eminent  Baptist  ministers,  residing  in 
different  parts  of  the  country,  recommended  it  to  the  churches  in  the 
hope  of  uniting  the  Baptists  of  the  United  States  in  its  use.  In  the 
Baptist  churches  of  the  North,  "The  Psalmist"  was  received  with 
great  favor.  In  the  South,  however,  the  omission  of  hymns  that  had 
acquired  great  local  popularity  proved  a  hindrance  to  its  circulation. 
To  remedy  this  defect,  an  edition  of  "  The  Psalmist,"  with  a  supple- 
ment containing  one  hundred  and  six  hymns,  compiled  by  Richard 
Fuller  and  J.  B.  Jeter,  "  with  special  reference  to  the  taste  and  wants 
of  the  South,"  was  published  about  four  years  later.  In  1848,  "  The 
Social  Psalmist,"  designed  for  use  in  prayer  and  conference  meet- 
ings, containing  three  hundred  and  fifty  hymns,  followed.  When  the 
Psalmist  was  published,  Rev.  S.  F.  Smith,  D.D.,  was  already  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  first  of  American  hymn  writers.  Rev.  Baron 
Stow,  D.D.,  stood  in  the  front  rank  in  the  Baptist  ministry,  in  New 
England.  He  was  born  in  Croydon,  N.  H.,  June  16,  1801,  graduated 
at  Columbian  College,  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1825,  and  was  ordained 
as  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Portsmouth,  N".  H.,  Oct.  24,  1827. 
Nov.  15, 1832,  he  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Baldwin  Place  Baptist 
church,  Boston.     After  sixteen  years  of  service,  he  resigned,  and  soon 


656  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

after  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Eowe  Street  Baptist  church, 
now  the  Clarendon  Street  Baptist  church,  Boston.  Here  he  closed  a 
ministry  of  marked  power  and  influence,  in  1867.  He  died  Dec.  27, 
1869,  leaving  a  stainless  record  as  a  man  and  a  Christian  minister. 
Eev.  Richard  Fuller,  D.D.,  was  a  prince  among  preachers.  He  was 
born  at  Beaufort,  S.  C,  April  22, 1804.  He  was  graduated  at  Har- 
vard College,  in  1824,  and  engaged  in  the  profession  of  law.  On 
recovering  from  a  severe  illness,  he  entered  the  Episcopal  church. 
Subsequently,  on  account  of  a  change  of  views,  he  united  with  the 
Baptists.  In  1833,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  Beaufort  Baptist 
church.  In  1847,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Seventh  Baptist  church, 
Baltimore,  where,  as  hitherto,  his  ministry  was  eminently  successful. 
He  died  Oct.  20, 1876,  in  the  triumphs  of  faith,  greatly  lamented. 
Rev.  J.  B.  Jeter,  d.d.,  another  distinguished  southern  Baptist 
minister  was  born  in  Bedford  Co.,  Va.,  July  18,  1802.  He  was 
ordained  in  1822,  and  in  1827,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Mar- 
atico  Baptist  church,  in  Lancaster  Co.,  and  of  the  Nicomico  Bap- 
tist church  in  Northumberland  County.  In  1836,  he  accepted  the 
pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  Richmond.  Here  he  remained 
until  1849,  when  he  became  pastor  of  the  Second  Baptist  church  in 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  In  1852,  he  returned  to  Richmond  as  pastor  of  the 
Grace  Street  Baptist  church.  He  was  the  author  of  several  memoirs 
and  religious  works,  and  in  his  later  years  he  was  senior  editor  of 
the  Religious  Herald.  He  died  February  18, 1880.  His  ability  and 
piety  were  widely  recognized. 

The  well  known  evangelist,  Rev.  Jacob  Knapp,  published  at  Utica, 
N.  Y.,  in  1845,  "  The  Evangelical  Harp,"  a  collection  of  hymns 
adapted  to  evangelistic  services.  Elder  Knapp,  as  he  was  generally 
designated,  was  born  in  Otsego,  County,  N.  Y.,  December  7, 1799. 
He  studied  at  Hamilton,  and  was  ordained  August  23, 1825.  He  was 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Springfield,  N.  Y.,  five  years,  and  at 
"Watertown,  N.  Y.,  three  years.  He  then  entered  upon  the  work  of 
an  evangelist,  to  which  he  devoted  the  remaining  forty-two  years  of 
his  pul)lic  ministry,  extending  his  labors  over  New  York,  New  Eng- 
land and  the  Western  States,  including  California.  He  died  at  Rock- 
ford,  111.,  March  3,  1874. 

In  1846,  Rev.  J.  M.  D.  Cates  published  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  a 
small  hymn  book  entitled  "  The  Companion.  A  New  Collection  of 
Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs,  Adapted  to  Devotional  Exercises."  A 
revised  and  enlarged  edition,  containing  two  hundred  and  thirty-nine 


APPENDIX.  657 

hymns  was  published  in  1848.  Mr.  Gates  subsequently  compiled  "  The 
Baptist  Companion."  The  only  coi^y  I  have  seen  is  one  that  belonged 
to  Mr.  Gates  himself,  and  as  the  title  page  is  lacking  I  am  unable  to 
ascertain  the  date  of  its  publication.  From  internal  evidence  I  infer 
that  it  was  published  between  1850,  and  1855.  It  contains  four  hun- 
dred and  ten  "  hymns  and  spiritual  songs." 

"  The  Christian  Melodist,  a  New  Collection  of  Hymns  for  Social 
Eeligious  Worship.  By  Joseph  Banvard,  pastor  of  the  Harvard 
Street  Baptist  Church,  Boston,"  was  published  in  Boston,  by  John 
Putnam  in  1848.  It  was  designed  for  use  in  social  religious  meetings, 
and  was  especially  "  adapted  to  seasons  of  refreshing  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord."  Dr.  Banvard  was  born  in  New  York  City 
May  9, 1810.  He  was  graduated  from  Newton  Theological  Institu- 
tion in  1835,  and  a  few  days  later  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Central 
Baptist  church,  Salem,  Mass.  His  subsequent  pastorates  were  at 
West  Cambridge,  Gannon  street,  New  York,  Pawtucket,  E.  I., 
Worcester,  Mass.,  Paterson,  N.  J.,  Neponset,  Mass.,  and  Indepen- 
dence, Mo.     He  died  at  Neponset,  Mass.,  September  28, 1887. 

A  hymn  book  for  seamen,  compiled  by  Dr.  J.  H.  Hanaford,  was 
published  in  Boston  in  1848.  In  the  following  year  Rev.  Phineas 
Stowe,  pastor  of  the  Bethel  Baptist  church  in  Boston,  brought  out  a 
second  edition  of  this  work,  which  he  made  his  own.  It  was  entitled 
"  Ocean  Melodies,  and  Seamen's  Companion.  A  Collection  of  Hymns 
and  music,  for  the  use  of  Bethels,  Chaplains  of  the  Navy,  and 
private  Devotion  of  Mariners."  The  eighth  edition  was  published 
in  1858. 

"  A  New  Collection  of  Hymns,  Designed  especially  for  Use  in 
Conference  and  Prayer  meetings  and  Family  Worship.  By  John 
Dowling,  D.D. , "  was  published  in  New  York  by  Edward  H.  Fletcher 
in  1849.  "  From  most  of  the  Conference  hymn  books  which  the 
editor  has  examined,"  wrote  Dr.  Dowling,  "  a  large  number  of 
devotional  pieces,  cherished  in  the  memory  and  the  hearts  of  the 
fathers  and  mothers  in  our  American  Zion,have  been  excluded,  prob- 
ably because  the  poetry  was  not  regarded  as  of  a  sufficiently  high 
order  of  excellence."  To  restore  these  old  favorites,  such  as, 
"  Sweet  land  of  rest,  for  thee  I  sigh,"  "  The  Lord  into  his  garden 
comes,"  etc..  Dr.  Dowling  compiled  these  conference  hymns. 

In  the  same  year,  1849,  appeared  the  first  hymn  book  published  by 
the  American  Baptist  Publication   Society.     It  was  entitled  "  The 
Baptist  Harp,  A  New  Collection  of  Hymns  for  the  Closet,  the  Family, 
42 


658  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

Social  Worship  and  Revivals,"  The  names  of  the  compilers  of  the 
selection  are  not  given,  but  it  is  understood  that  Rev.  George  B. 
Ide,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  Edgar  M.  Levy,  D.D.,  were  prominent  in  the 
work.  The  Harp  contained  five  hundred  and  eighty-three  hymns. 
Dr.  Levy  wa?  bor:i  in  St.  Mary's,  Ga.,  November  23, 1822,  He  was 
educated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  Philadelphia,  and 
having  studied  theology  under  Albert  Barnes,  d.d.,  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Chamber's  Presbyterian  church  in  1843.  In  April, 
1844,  he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  George  B.  Ide,  d.d.,  the  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia.  In  November  following  he 
was  ordained  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  West  Philadelphia, 
and  continued  in  this  position  fourteen  years.  He  then  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  South  Baptist  church,  Newark,  N.  J.  In 
1868,  he  resigned  and  returned  to  Philadelphia  as  pastor  of  the 
Berean  Baptist  church.  Here  he  remained  sixteen  years.  At  the 
close  of  forty  years  of  continuous  pastoral  labor  he  retired  from  the 
pastorate  to  enter  upon  evangelistic  service.  Up  to  this  time  he  had 
baptized  nearly  eleven  hundred  candidates.  His  present  residence  is 
Philadelphia, 

lu  1850,  at  the  request  of  various  brethren  and  of  the  Board  of 
the  Southern  Baptist  Publication  Society,  Rev,  Basil  Manly,  d,d., 
and  Rev.  Basil  Manly,  jr.,  compiled  "The  Baptist  Psalmody;  A 
Selection  of  Hymns  for  the  Worship  of  God,"  the  first  edition  of 
which  was  published  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  It  contained  one  thousand 
two  hundred  and  ninety-five  hymns,  and  at  once  was  received  with 
as  much  favor  in  the  Baptist  churches  in  the  South,  as  the  Psalmist 
earlier  in  the  Baptist  churches  of  the  North.  Dr.  Basil  Manly, 
sr.,  was  born  in  Chatham  County,  N.  C,  January  25, 1798.  He  was 
graduated  from  the  College  of  South  Carolina  in  1821,  and  was 
ordained  in  1822,  His  first  pastorate  was  at  Edgefield  Court  House, 
S.  C.  In  March,  1826,  he  became  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church 
in  Charleston,  Ten  years  later  he  accepted  the  presidency  of  the 
State  University  of  Alabama,  and  for  eighteen  years  he  adminis- 
tered its  affairs  with  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to  the  State,  In 
1855,  he  returned  to  Charleston  as  pastor  of  the  Wentworth  street 
Baptist  church.  In  1859,  he  returned  to  Alabama  to  labor  as  a  State 
evangelist.  The  closing  years  of  his  life  were  spent  at  Greeaville, 
S,  C,  where  he  died  December  21,  1868, 

"  Select  Hymns  for  Public  and  Private  Worship,  compiled  by  a 
Committee  of  the  Second  Baptist  church,"  Philadelphia,  was  pub- 


APPENDIX.  659 

lished  about  the  year  1850.  A  second  edition  somewhat  enlarged, 
and  containing  three  hundred  and  two  hymns,  was  published  in  1862. 

In  1851,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Eev.  Sidney  Dyer  published  "The 
Southwestern  Psalmist.  "  Large  editions  of  this  hymn  book  were 
sold.  A  revised  edition  appeared  in  1853,  and  "  the  seemingly  sec- 
tional title "  was  changed  to  "  Dyer's  Psalmist,  a  Collection  of 
Hymns  and  Sacred  Songs  for  the  Use  of  Baptist  churches."  The 
collection  contained  four  hundred  and  sixty-seven  hymns  and  nine 
doxologies. 

"The  Sacred  Lute;  a  Collection  of  popular  Hymns,"  compiled 
by  Rev.  E.  T.  Winkler,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Charles- 
ton, S.  C,  and  published  by  the  Southern  Baptist  Publication  Society, 
appeared  in  1855.  Dr.  Winkler  was  at  that  time  secretary  of  the  Pub- 
lication Society.  The  collection  contained  four  hundred  and  sixteen 
hymns.  A  second  edition,  containing  four  hundred  and  seventy 
hymns,  was  published  at  Charleston  in  1860. 

May  1, 1857,  the  Pierrepont  Street  Baptist  church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
addressed  a  letter  through  its  clerk  to  A.  S.  Barnes  &  Co.,  Kew 
York,  publishers  of  "  The  Plymouth  Collection  of  Hymns  and 
Tunes,"  requesting  them  to  publish  an  edition  of  this  collection 
"  adapted  to  the  use  of  Baptist  churches."  The  request  was  granted 
and  Rev.  John  Stanford  Holme,  pastor  of  the  Pierrepont  Street 
church,  prepared  the  new  edition  for  publication.  Original  hymns 
were  obtained  from  S.  P.  Smith,  d.d.,  S.  D.  Phelps,  d.d.,  Hon. 
Charles  Thurber,  Rev.  Sidney  Dyer,  and  others.  About  one  hundred 
and  fifty  hymns  and  fifty  tunes  were  added  to  the  collection,  making 
in  all  about  one  thousand  and  six  hundred  hymns  and  four  hundred 
tunes.  Dr.  Holme  was  born  in  Holmesburg,  now  a  part  of  Phila- 
delphia, March  4,  1822.  He  pursued  college  preparatory  studies  at 
New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  studied  law  a  while  in  Philadelphia,  then 
entered  Madison  University,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1850.  Hav- 
ing been  ordained  he  was  settled  over  the  Baptist  church  in  Water- 
town,  N.  Y.  Pour  years  later  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the 
Pierrepont  Street  Baptist  church,  Brooklyn,  l!^'.  Y.  Here  he 
remained  ten  years.  Subsequently  he  organized  the  Trinity  Baptist 
church,  New  York,  and  later  the  Riverside  Baptist  church.  He 
died  August  26, 1884. 

In  1857,  "  The  Prayer  Meeting  Hymn  Book  "  was  published  in 
Baltimore,  Md.,  by  J.  F.  Weishampel.  It  contained  three  hundred 
and  twenty-four  hymns,  and  was  compiled  by  William  Crane,  a 


660  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

prominent  member  of  the  Seventh  Baptist  church,  Baltimore,  who 
was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  May  6, 1790.  From  1811,  until  1834,  he 
was  engaged  in  business  in  Richmoncl,  Ya.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Second  Baptist  church,  Richmond,  of  the  Richmond 
African  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  of  the  Religious  Herald,  and  of 
Richmond  College.  In  Baltimore,  as  in  Richmond,  he  had  a  share 
in  every  good  work.  For  nearly  fifty  years  he  was  a  Sunday-school 
teacher.     He  died  in  Baltimore,  September  2S,18G6. 

"The  Sabbath  Hymn  Book,"  compiled  by  Dr.  Lowell  Mason  and 
two  well  known  Andover  professors,  Dr.  Edwards  A.  Park  and  Dr. 
Austin  Phelps,  was  published  by  Mason  Brothers,  Kew  York,  in 
1858,  and  an  edition  with  music,  entitled  "  The  Sabbath  Hymn  and 
Tune  Book,"  followed  early  in  1859.  Dr.  Francis  Wayland,  while 
the  work  was  passing  through  the  press,  was  allowed  full  liberty  to 
alter  or  amend  it  for  the  purpose  of  adapting  it  to  the  wants  of  his 
own  denomination.  A  Baptist  edition  of  the  work  was  accordingly 
published  simultaneously  with  the  Congregational  edition.  In  1866, 
anew  edition  of  "  The  Sabbath  Hymn  and  Tune  Book"  appeared, 
entitled  "  The  New  Sabbath  Hymn  and  Tune  Book,"  containing 
many  new  tunes  to  meet  the  "  present  state  of  the  popular  taste." 
The  collection,  which  was  one  of  great  excellence,  contained  one 
thousand  three  hundred  and  twenty-one  hymns.  Dr.  Wayland  was 
born  in  New  York,  March  11,  1796.  He  was  graduated  at  Union 
College  in  1813.  After  a  medical  course  he  received  a  license  to 
practice,  but  in  1816,  he  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Troy,  N. 
Y.,  and  soon  after  entered  Andover  Theological  Seminary.  From 
1817,  to  1821,  he  was  a  tutor  in  Union  College.  He  then  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  Boston.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1826,  he  was  elected  professor  of  mathematics  and  natural 
history  in  Union  College,  and  in  December  president  of  Brown 
University.  He  accepted  the  latter  position,  and  entered  upon  his 
duties  in  February,  1827.  Here  he  achieved  the  highest  success,  and 
until  his  resignation  in  1855,  he  held  a  conspicuous  position  among 
the  college  presidents  of  the  land.  Dr.  "Wayland  died  in  Providence, 
R.  I.,  September  26, 1865. 

'*  Revival  Gems:  a  Collection  of  Spirit-Stirring  Hymns.  Specially 
Adapted  to  Revivals.  Compiled  by  Rev.  Joseph  Banvard,"  was 
pul)lished  in  1858  by  John  P.  Jewett  &  Co.,  Boston.  It  contained 
two  hundred  hymns,  and  was  designed  for  use  in  revival  seasons. 

In  the  same  year  appeared  "The  Sacred  Lyre:  a  New  Collection 


APPENDIX.  661 

of  Hymns  and  Tunes,  for  Social  and  Family  Worship).  By  Kev.  J. 
Aldrich,  A.M.,  Boston,  Andrew  F.  Graves."  Mr.  Aldrich  was  bora 
in  St.  Jolinsbury,  Vt.,  September  2,  1799.  He  was  graduated  at 
Brown  University  in  1826,  and  after  a  year  of  study  at  Newton  The- 
ological Institution,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church 
at  West  Dedham,  Mass.  Subsequently  he  had  pastorates  at  East 
Cambridge,  Worcester  and  N^ewburyport,  Mass.,  Philadelphia, 
Penn.,  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  Middleborough,  Mass.  In  1853,  he  was 
appointed  an  agent  of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union  for 
the  collection  of  funds,  and  he  continued  in  the  service  of  the  Union 
until  his  death,  January  19, 1862. 

Also  in  the  same  year  a  work  of  like  character,  with  music,  was 
published  in  Boston.  It  was  entitled  "  The  Vestry  Harp.  A  Col- 
lection of  Hymns  and  Tunes  Adapted  to  Family  Worshij-).  Arranged 
and  Published  by  Rev.  N.  M.  Perkins."  Mr.  Perkins  was  the  son 
of  Rev.  Aaron  Perkins,  r>.D.,  and  was  born  in  Marlborough,  N.  Y., 
October  20,  1820.  He  was  educated  at  Hamilton,  where  he  was 
graduated  in  1844.  Having  accepted  a  call  to  the  jiastorate  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Westtield,  Mass.,  he  was  ordained  in  that  place 
November  20, 1844.  His  subsequent  pastorates  were  at  Waterbury, 
Conn.,  Brookline,  Mass.,  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  and  Utica,  N".  Y.  He 
died  at  Monroe,  Conn.,  August  21,  18G3.  He  was  a  man  of  fine 
taste,  a  devoted  pastor,  and  a  forcible  preacher. 

Also  in  1858,  appeared  "The  Southern  Psalmist."  Edited  by  J. 
B.  Graves  and  J.  M.  Pendleton,  and  published  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
by  the  Southwestern  Publishing  Company.  The  hymns  selected, 
one  thousand  and  twenty  in  number,  were  such  as  abound  in  evan- 
gelical truth.  Dr.  Graves  was  born  in  Chester,  Vt.,  April  10, 1820. 
He  was  converted  when  fifteen  j-ears  of  age,  and  united  with  the 
Baptist  church  in  North  Springfield ,  Vt.  Six  years  later,  on  account 
of  impaired  health,  he  went  to  Kentucky,  where  for  awhile  he  was 
engaged  in  teaching.  By  request  of  the  church  with  which  he 
united  he  was  called  to  ordination.  In  1845,  he  removed  to  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  where  ho  opened  an  academy.  Ho  also  took  charge  of 
the  Second  Baptist  church.  In  184G,  he  became  editor  of  the  Ten- 
nessee Baptist.  In  1S48,  he  originated  the  Southwestern  Publishing 
Company,  and  subsequently  the  Southern  Baptist  Sunday  School 
Union.  After  the  war  Dr.  Graves  took  up  his  residence  in  Memphis, 
where  he  has  continued  the  publication  of  the  Tennessee  Baptist, 
and  also  engaged  in  book  writing  and  publishing.     Throughout  his 


662  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

career  he  has  devoted  much  time  to  evangelistic  labor.  Dr.  Pendle- 
ton was  born  in  SpottS3'lvania  County,  Ya.,  ^N'ovember  20,  1811. 
When  he  was  a  year  old  his  parents  returned  to  Kentucky.  At  sev- 
enteen jears  of  age  he  was  converted,  and  at  twenty  he  was  licensed 
to  preach.  In  1833,  he  entered  the  Christian  County  Seminary, 
where  he  studied  three  years,  preaching  on  alternate  Sundays  for 
the  Hopkinsville  and  Bethel  churches.  In  1837,  he  became  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  where  he  remained 
until  1857,  when  he  was  elected  professor  of  theology  in  Union  Uni- 
versity, Murfreesborough,  Tenn.  This  position  he  filled  until  the 
civil  war.  He  was  pastor  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  from  1862,  to  1865. 
Then  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Upland, 
Penn.  In  this  position,  highly  useful  and  honored,  Dr.  Pendleton 
remained  until  October,  1883,  when  he  resigned  in  order  to  spend 
the  evening  of  his  days  with  his  children. 

In  1859,  Mr.  H.  D.  Phinney,  of  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  published  his 
"Melodies  of  Zion:  a  New  Collection  of  Hymns  and  Tunes  for 
Prayer,  Conference,  Revival,  Union  and  Social  Meetings  and  Family 
Worship."  *'  It  was  designed,"  says  the  compiler,  "  to  meet  a  want 
of  the  churches  which  an  experience  of  twenty-three  years  in  one 
church,  as  its  servant  in  leading  the  Songs  of  Zion,  has  taught  us 
their  need." 

In  1860,  Rev.  James  Inglis  published  at  Detroit  (Putnam,  Smith  & 
Co.)  "  Spiritual  Songs  in  the  House  of  our  Pilgrimage."  It  con- 
tained three  hundred  and  eighty-three  hymns,  in  two  parts.  "  Part  I. 
Hymns  for  the  Assemblies  of  the  Saints.  Part  il.  Hymns  of  Private 
Worship,  Devout  Meditation  and  Mutual  Comfort  and  Exhortation." 
Some  of  the  hymns  are  by  Mr.  Inglis  himself,  but  as  the  names  of 
authors  are  withheld  throughout,  they  cannot  now  be  ascertained. 
The  collection  is  dedicated  to  the  Tabernacle  Baptist  church,  Detroit. 

The  only  new  Baptist  hymn  book  that  appeared  during  the  war 
was  "  The  Devotional  Hymn  and  Tune  Book  for  Social  and  Public 
Worship,"  which  appeared  in  1864.  It  was  published  by  the  Amer- 
ican Baptist  Publication  Society,  Philadelphia.  The  music  was 
arranged  and  adapted  by  William  B.  Bradbury.  The  compilers, 
whose  names  are  not  given,  aimed  to  group  together  the  choicest 
hymns  and  tunes,  embracing  the  old  familiar  songs  of  Zion,  and 
those  of  more  recent  origin.  An  edition  without  music  was  also 
published. 

In  1807,  appeared  "  The  Sacred  Harp:  a  New  Collection  of  Hymns 


APPENDIX.  663 

and  Spiritual  Songs.  Adapted  to  Devotional  Exercises.  By  J.  M.  D. 
Gates."  Mr.  Gates  was  the  compiler  of  "The  Gompaniou"  and 
"  The  Baptist  Companion,"  earlier  collections.  This  added  collec- 
tion, containing  six  hundred  and  eighteen  hymns,  had  an  extensive 
circulation  in  Tennessee,  and  is  still  in  use. 

In  the  same  year,  Kev.  Edwin  Burnham,  well  known  as  an  evange- 
list, published  "  Kevival  Hymns,  Original  and  Selected."  It  was  a 
small  collection  —  eighty-three  hymns  —  and  was  designed  for  use  in 
the  compilers'  evangelistic  meetings. 

In  1SG9,  a  Baptist  edition  of  "  Songs  of  the  Sanctuary,"  prepared 
by  Kev.  T.  S.  Griffiths,  Avas  published  by  A.  S.  Barnes  &  Co.,  N'ew 
York.  This  hymn  book,  compiled  by  Rev.  G.  S.  Robinson,  d.d., 
was  one  of  great  excellence,  and  having  been  made  available  for  use 
in  Baptist  churches  it  had  a  wide  circulation.  It  contained  one 
thousand  three  hundred  forty-two  hymns.  Rev.  T.  S.  Griffiths  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  March  1.3,  1821.  Having  prepared  for 
college  at  Burlington,  N.  J.,  and  New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  he  entered 
Madison  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1843.  He  was 
ordained  at  Red  Bank,  N.  J.,  in  1844,  and  has  had  pastorates  at  Red 
Bank,  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  Dubuque  and  Keokuk,  Iowa.,  Trenton, 
Holmdel  and  Cherryville,  N.  J. 

In  1870,  appeared  "  Revival  Songs.  A  New  Collection  of  Hjonns 
and  Spiritual  Songs  for  Closet  and  Family  Worship,  Prayer,  Con- 
ference, Revival  and  Protracted  Meetings.  By  Rev.  Emerson 
Andrews,  Evangelist."  In  this  collection,  published  by  James  H. 
Earle,  Boston,  the  compiler  aimed  to  bring  together  the  best  of  the 
old  and  new  revival  hymns.  Mr.  Andrews  was  born  in  Marshfield, 
Mass.,  November  24,  1806.  Entering  the  sophomore  class,  Union 
College,  he  was  graduated  in  1834.  In  the  spring  of  1836,  he  was 
ordained,  and  after  preaching  a  while  at  West  Troy,  N.  Y.,  he 
became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Rome,  N.  Y.  Here  he 
remained  several  years,  and  then  devoted  himself  to  evangelistic 
work.  Twice  he  visited  Palestine  and  those  places  in  Europe  that 
are  of  deep  interest  to  every  believer  in  Christ.  He  died  in  New- 
berne,  N.  C,  February  12,  18S4. 

In  the  same  year,  Biglow  &  Main,  New  York,  published  "  Songs 
of  Devotion.  A  Collection  of  Psalms,  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs, 
with  music.  By  W.  H.  Doane."  In  this  collection  much  attention 
was  paid  to  the  music,  and  in  the  hymns  the  attempt  was  made  to 
meet  the  wants  of  every  department  of  Christian  labor.  The  work 
has  had  a  larsce  circulation. 


664  BAPTIST  HYMX  WRITERS. 

On  account  of  the  success  of  such  books  as  "  The  Plymouth  Col- 
lection "  and  "Songs  of  the  Sanctuary,"  the  publishers  of  "The 
Psalmist "  now  recognized  the  necessity  of  meeting  the  demand  of 
the  churches  for  a  hymn  book  with  music.  No  Baptist  hymn  book  in 
this  country  had  been  so  extensively  used  as  "  The  Psalmist,"  and  at 
first  it  was  thought  that  this  excellent  work  might  be  adapted  to  this 
new  want.  But  the  editors  selected  b}^  the  publishers,  Rev.  S.  L. 
Caldwell,  D.D.,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  Rev.  A.J.  Gordon,  d.d., 
Dr.  Stow's  successor  in  Boston,  at  length  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  it  was  desirable  to  make  a  new  collection.  The  result  of  their 
labors  was  "  The  Service,  of  Song  for  Baptist  Churches,"  containing 
one  thousand  and  sixty-nine  hymns,  and  published  by  Gould 
&  Lincoln  in  1871.  It  secured  speedy  recognition  as  a  collection  of 
great  merit,  and  has  since  been  in  use  in  a  large  number  of  Baptist 
churches.  The  plates  were  subsequently  purchased  by  Sheldon  & 
Co.,  New  York,  who  added  a  supplement  containing  Gospel  hymns. 
In  187G,  a  centennial  edition  of  the  "  Service  of  Song,"  containing  a 
less  number  of  hymns  than  the  earlier  editions,  and  in  reality  a  dis- 
tinct work,  was  published.  Rev.  S.  L.  Caldwell,  d.d.,  was  born  in 
Newburyport,  Mass.,  November  13, 1820.  After  graduating  at  AYat- 
erville  College,  now  Colby  University,  in  1839, he  taught  three  years, 
and  then  entered  the  Theological  Institution  at  Newton  Centre, 
Mass.,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1815.  Having  received  a  call  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Bangor,  Me. ,  he  was 
ordained  in  August,  1816.  His  pastorate  of  this  church  continued 
until  1858,  Avhen  he  became  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in 
Providence,  R.  I.  Here  he  remained  until  1873,  when  he  was 
elected  professor  of  ecclesiastical  history  in  Newton  Theological 
Institution.  In  1878,  he  accepted  the  presidency  of  Vassar  College, 
at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.  From  this  position  he  retired  in  1885,  and 
he  has  since  made  his  home  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  devoting  himself  to 
literary  labors. 

In  the  same  year,  1871,  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society 
published  "  The  Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune  Book  for  Public  Worship," 
containing  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  hymns.  It  was  compiled 
by  Rev.  Henry  G.  "Weston,  d.d.,  and  the  music  was  arranged  by 
John  M.  Evans.  Dr.  Weston  was  born  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  September 
11, 1820.  He  was  graduated  at  Brown  University  in  1840,  and  stud- 
ied two  years  at  Newton  Theological  Institution.  In  May,  1843,  he 
was  ordained  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  and  for  three  years  he  served  as  a 


APPENDIX.  665 

missionary  in  Illinois.  In  1846,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Peoria,  and  remained  with  this  church  thirteen 
years.  He  then  became  pastor  of  the  Oliver  Street  Baptist  church, 
New  York  City.  In  1868,  he  resigned  in  order  to  accept  the  presi- 
dency of  Crozer  Theological  Seminary,  which  he  still  retains.  The 
degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  he  received  from  Rochester  University 
in  1859. 

In  1872,  A.  S.  Barnes  &  Co.,  K.  Y.,  published  "The  Baptist 
Praise  Book:  prepared  by  Richard  Fuller,  E.  M.  Levy,  S.  D.  Phelps, 
H.  C.  Fish,  Thomas  Armitage,  E.  T.  Winkler,  W.  W.  Everts,  Geo. 
C.  Lorimer,  and  Basil  Manly."  It  contained  thirteen  hundred  and 
eleven  hymns.  A  chapel  edition  also  was  published,  containing  five 
hundred  and  fifty  hymns  and  tunes.  "  When  its  preparation  was 
commenced,"  it  is  stated  in  the  preface  of  the  larger  w;ork,  "  no 
hymn  and  tune  book  for  sanctuary  use  was  available,  or  in  prospect, 
except  issued  by  some  other  branch  of  the  Christian  family,  and 
sought  to  be  adapted  to  Baptist  churches;  a  circumstance  for  the  . 
existence  of  which  at  least  no  good  reason  could  be  assigned."  Rev. 
E.  M.  Levy,  d.d.,  of  Philadelphia,  was  the  principal  compiler  of 
this  work,  the  other  persons  mentioned  on  the  title  page  aiding  by 
way  of  suggestion,  etc. 

"  The  Vestry  Hymn  and  Tune  Book,"  edited  by  Rev.  A.  J,  Gor- 
don, was  published  also  in  1872,  by  Henry  A.  Young  &  Co.,  Boston. 
It  contained  five  hundred  and  fifty-nine  hymns,  and  was  admirably 
adapted  for  use  in  social  meetings. 

In  1873,  Rev.  J.  R.  Graves,  d.d.,  iiublished  at  Memphis,  Tenn,, 
"The  Kew  Baptist  Psalmist  for  Churches  and  Sunday  Schools." 
Particular  attention  was  paid  to  the  doctrinal  sentiments  of  the 
hymns.  "In  this  collection,"  says  the  compiler,  "there  will  be 
found  no  hymns  that  teach  the  doctrine  of  baptismal  remission  or 
ritual  efficacy,  no  praises  to  be  sung  to  dead  relatives  or  friends,  nor 
are  children  taught  to  pray  to  the  angels,  or  to  desire  to  be  angels." 
In  1878,  appeared  "The  Calvary  Selection  of  Spiritual  Songs. 
With  Music  for  the  Church  and  the  Choir,"  published  by  Scribner 
&  Co.,  New  York.  "  Spiritual  Songs,"  compiled  by  Rev.  Charles  S. 
Robinson,  d.d.,  had  been  received  with  favor  as  a  work  of  superior 
excellence,  and  Rev.  R.  S.  Mac^irthur,  d.d.,  pastor  of  the  Calvary 
Baptist  church,  New  York,  prepared  this  edition  for  use  in  Baptist 
churches.  The  collection  contained  one  thousand  and  eighty-six 
hymns,  including  a  few  chants.     The  copyright  of  the  book,  after  a 


666  BAPTIST  HYMJ^"  WRITERS. 

short  time,  was  transferred  by  Scribner  &  Co.  to  the  Century  Com- 
pany. Dr.  MacArthur  was  born  at  Dalesville,  Arg»enteuil  County, 
Province  of  Quebec,  Canada,  August  31,  1841.  He  was  graduated 
from  the  University  of  Rochester,  N,  Y.,  in  18G7,  and  from  the  Roch- 
ester Tlieological  Seminary  in  1870.  In  June,  1870,  lie  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Calvary  Baptist  church  in  New  York  City, 
which  under  his  leadership  removed,  in  1883,  from  Twenty-third  street 
to  Fifty-seventh  street,  and  erected  a  new  house  of  worship  at  an 
expense  of  about  five  hundred  thousand  dollars.  Since  1885,  he  has 
been  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Baptist  Quarterly  Review.  He  is  also 
the  weekly  correspondent  of  the  Chicago  Standard,  and  one  of  the 
editorial  board  of  the  Christian  Inquirer. 

An  added  hymn  book,  compiled  by  Rev.  Robert  Lowry,  D.D.,  and 
"W.  Howard  Doane,  Musical  Doctor,  was  published  by  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society  in  1879.  It  was  entitled  "  Gospel  Hymn 
and  Tune  Book:  A  Choice  Collection  of  Hymns  and  Music,  Old  and 
New.  For  use  in  Prayer  Meetings  and  Family  and  Church  Service," 
and  was  designed  to  take  the  place  of  "The  Devotional  Hymn  and 
Tune  Book,"  issued  in  1864.  The  standard  hymns  in  this  work  were 
mostly  from  "  The  Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune  Book,"  selected  by  a  com- 
mittee of  the  Publication  Board,  and  submitted  to  the  editors  for 
adaptation  to  music.  To  these  were  added  some  of  the  most  recent 
popular  gospel  hymns. 

Another  collection,  entitled  "  Baptist  Songs,  with  Music:  Selected 
and  arranged  by  A.  B.  Cates,"  was  published  in  1879,  by  A.  C. 
Caperton  &  Co.,  Louisville,  Ky.  It  contained  two  hundred  and  thir- 
ty-eight hymns.  The  aim  of  the  compiler  was  to  embody  in  a  small 
compass,  and  at  a  moderate  expense,  the  best  and  most  popular  old 
hymns.  To  render  assistance  in  starting  the  tunes  the  first  line  of 
each  hymn  was  set  to  music.  A.  B.  Cates,  now  of  Newman,  Ga.,  is  a 
son  of  Rev.  J.  M.  D.  Cates,  the  compiler  of  "The  Companion," 
"  The  Baptist  Companion,"  and  "  The  Baptist  Harp." 

In  1880,  A.  C.  Armstrong  &  Son,  New  York,  published  "Songs 
for  the  Lord's  House."  The  hymns  were  selected  by  Rev,  C.  D'W. 
Bridgman,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  Madison  Avenue  Baptist  church  in 
New  York.  The  music  was  arranged  chiefly  by  Mr.  Henry  Camp, 
choir  leader  of  Plymouth  church,  Brooklyn.  The  collection  con- 
tained five  hundred  and  fifty-seven  hymns,  twenty-five  doxologies, 
and  twenty-five  pages  of  chants.  The  selection  was  an  admirable 
one,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  book  is  now  out  of  print.    Dr. 


APPENDIX.  667 

Bridgman  was  bom  in  Saugerties,  N.  Y.,  January  1, 1835.  His  first 
pastorate  was  at  Morristown,  N.  J.  Thence  he  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Jamaica  Plain,  Mass.  In  1862, 
he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Emmanuel  Baptist  church,  Albany,  N.  Y. 
Here  he  remained  fifteen  years  and  four  months  in  the  enjoyment 
of  a  ministry  of  enlargement  and  prosperity.  In  February,  1878, 
Dr.  Bridgman  yielded  to  the  earnest  entreaties  of  the  Madison  Ave- 
nue Baptist  church,  New  York,  and  his  pastoral  labors  have  been 
with  this  people  from  that  time. 

"  The  Baptist  Hymn  and  Tune  Book  "  contained  an  admirable  se- 
lection of  hymns,  but  the  music  was  unattractive.  The  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society  accordingly  decided  to  undertake  the 
preparation  of  a  new  hymn  and  tune  book.  The  committee  to  whom 
the  work  of  compilation  was  entrusted  consisted  of  Rev.  A.  J.  Row- 
land, D.D.,  Rev.  P.  S.  Henson,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  L.  P.  Hornberger, 
who  were  assisted  by  various  clergymen  in  different  parts  of  the 
country;  while  the  musical  part  of  the  work  was  assigned  to  W.  H. 
Doane,  Musical  Doctor,  and  Rev.  E.  H.  Johnson,  d.d.  This  new 
book,  entitled  "  The  Baptist  Hymnal,  for  Use  in  the  Church  and 
Home,"  was  published  in  1883,  and  has  since  had  a  very  large  cir- 
cxilation,  extending  to  all  parts  of  the  country.  Dr.  Henson  was 
born  in  Fluvanna  County,  Va.,  December  7, 1831.  He  graduated  at 
Richmond  College  in  1848.  For  awhile  he  was  engaged  in  teaching, 
and  then  entered  upon  the  practice  of  law.  In  1855,  his  thoughts  were 
directed  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  he  was  ordained  in 
February,  1856.  His  first  pastorate  was  with  the  Fluvanna  church. 
In  1860,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Broad  Street  Baptist  church,  Phila- 
delphia. In  1867,  he  went  out  from  this  church  with  others,  and  or- 
ganized the  Memorial  Baptist  church.  With  this  church  he  remained 
as  pastor  until  1882.  He  then  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  Chicago,  111.,  where,  as  earlier,  his  ministry 
has  been  greatly  blessed.  Rev.  L.  P.  Hornberger  was  born  in  Phil- 
adelphia, Penn.,  October  25,  1841.  He  was  graduated  at  Madison 
University  in  1865,  and  August  20,  of  that  year  he  entered  upon  the 
pastorate  of  the  Spring  Garden  Baptist  church,  Philadelphia.  With 
this  church  he  remained  nearly  seven  years.  He  was  then  induced 
to  undertake  the  establishment  of  a  new  church  in  the  northwestern 
part  of  the  city,  and  the  Gethsemane  church  was  organized.  His 
ministry  here,  as  at  the  Spring  Garden  church,  was  greatly  blessed, 
and  his  early  death,  March  27, 1884,  was  deeply  lamented. 


668  BAPTIST  HYMN^  WRITERS. 

In  1887,  James  H.  Earle,  Boston,  published  "  Sought  Out  Songs 
Compiled  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle,  d.d.,  Assisted  by  Nearly  Forty  Song 
and  Music  Writers,  who  have  Contributed  to  the  Volume.  Words 
and  Music.  For  Social  and  Home  Religious  Song,  Churches,  Revi- 
vals, Y.  M.  C.  A.  Meetings,  Out  Door  Services,  etc."  For  many 
years  Dr.  Earle  has  been  successfully  engaged  in  evangelistic  vv^ork. 
He  resides  in  Xewton,  Mass. 

In  the  autumn  of  18SS,  the  Baptist  Book  and  Tract  Society  of  the 
Maritime  Pi'ovinces  published  "  The  Canadian  Baptist  Hymnal." 
The  directors  of  the  Society  invited  the  following  brethren  to  assist 
in  the  work,  viz..  Prof.  T.  H.  Rand,  d.c.l.,  Prof.  E.  M.  Keirstead, 
M.A.,  Rev.  T.  A.  Iliggins,  d.d.,  Rev.  George  Armstrong,  D.D.,  Rev. 
G.  E.  Day,  D.D. ,  and  Stephen  Selden,  Esq.  The  whole  work  has 
been  under  the  direct  supervision  of  A.  P.  Shand,  Esq.,  Prof.  E.  M. 
Keirstead,  m.a.,  and  Rev.  J.  W.  Manning,  B.A.,  and  the  result  is  a 
book  that  is  admirably  adapted  for  the  use  of  the  Canadian  Baptist 
churches. 

Notwithstanding  the  publication  of  many  different  books  in  this 
country  since  17GG,  there  are  for  church  use  only  three  books  at  the 
present  time  that  have  a  very  wide  circulation,  viz.:  "  The  Service 
of  Song,"  "The  Calvary  Selection,"  and  "The  Baptist  Hymnal." 
These  works  are  worthy  of  the  popularity  they  have  secured,  and 
have  proved  veiy  efficient  helpers  in  enriching  "  the  service  of  song 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord."  Other  works  will  follow.  Rev.  George 
C.  Lorimer,  d.d.,  of  Chicago,  and  Rev.  Henry  M.  Sanders,  of  New 
York,  have  in  preparation  for  use  in  Baptist  churches  an  edition  of 
the  "  Carmiua  Sanctorum,"  published  by  A.  S.  Barnes  &  Co.,  of 
New  York.  Rev.  D.  C.  Eddy,  d.d.,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  also  has 
nearly  ready  for  publication  a  book  entitled  "  The  Memorial  Hymnal." 
It  is  hardly  to  be  expected  that  any  one  book  will  meet  the  wants 
of  all  the  Baptist  churches  in  this  country,  as  the  wants  of  these 
churches  are  not  the  same.  Perhaps  just  now,  in  our  American 
Baptist  churches,  a  good  hymn  book  for  social  and  evangelistic  ser- 
vices is  the  greatest  need,  and  it  is  understood  that  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society  will  soon  publish  such  a  work. 


APPEXDIX.  669 


GERMAN   BAPTIST   HYMN    BOOKS 

AND   THEIR   COMPILERS. 


The  earliest  of  the  German  Baptist  hymn  books  it  is  thought  ■was 
compiled  by  Prof.  A.  Rauschenbusch  (German  Department  Roches- 
ter Theological  Seminary),  and  was  published  in  Philadelphia  by  the 
American  Baptist  Publication  Society  in  ISol.  It  was  entitled  "  Die 
Pilgerharfe,"'  and  contained  four  hundi-ed  and  sixty-five  hymns. 
About  the  same  time  Rev.  Julius  Kobner,  a  prominent  German  Bap- 
tist, compiled  '-Die  Glaubensstimme,"  containing  six  hundred  and 
fortj'-seven  hymns.  The  latter  collection  came  into  general  use  not 
only  among  the  Baptists  of  Germany,  but  also  at  length  of  this  coun- 
try, superseding  "Die  Pilgerharfe."'  Later  attempts  were  made  to 
secure  a  new  compilation,  adapted  for  the  use  of  the  German  Baptist 
churches  both  in  this  country  and  in  Germany.  Mr.  Kobner  submit- 
ted such  a  compilation,  but  it  seems  not  to  have  met  with  favor. 
About  one-third  of  the  hymns  in  the  collection  were  by  Kobner 
himself.  At  the  General  Conference  of  German  Baptists  in  the 
United  States,  held  in  1883,  a  hymn  book  committee  was  appointed, 
consisting  of  J.  C.  Haselhuhn,  H.  M.  Schaffer,  J.  S.  Gubelmann,  H. 
L.  Dietz,  and  L.  II.  Donner.  The  result  of  their  labors  was  '•  Die 
Glaubensharfe,"  which  was  published  by  the  German  Baptist  Pub- 
lishing Society  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  December,  1885.  It  contains 
seven  hundred  and  seventy-seven  hymns.  Although  Prof.  Rausch- 
enbusch declined  to  serve  on  this  committee,  he  gave  much  time 
to  the  revision  of  the  work,  and  was  present  at  the  final  sessions  of 
the  compilers. 

The  two  older  books  contained  many  of  the  old  German  "  Cho- 
rale," hymns  by  Baptist  writers,  also  many  of  the  hymns  of  the 
Briidergemeinde,  and  the  German  Pietists,  prominent  among  them 
Zinzendorf  and  Tersteegen.  The  German  Baptists  were  largely 
recruited  from  the  Pietists,  and  their  Christian  life  was  akin  to 
theirs,  so  that  these  hymns,  with  their  contemplative  character, 
their  introspection,  their  reference  to  personal  religious  experience, 
satisfied  for  a  while  the  needs  of  the  German  Baptists. 


etO*  BAPTIST  HYMN  WRITERS. 

The  demand  for  a  new  hymn  book  was  the  result  very  largely  of 
influences  from  without.  In  Germany  the  labors  of  evangelists  like 
Pearsall  Smith,  Somerville,  etc.,  the  organization  of  Y.  M.  C.  Asso- 
ciations, the  circulation  of  Spurgeon's  sermons,  the  introduction  of 
"  Gospel  Hymns,"  aided  in  this  movement.  There  was  a  call  for 
hymns  adapted  to  these  new  methods  of  Christian  work  and  new 
lines  of  Christian  thought.  In  this  country  the  same  influences 
were  at  work.  A  comparison  of  "Die  Glaubensharfe  "  with  "Die 
Pilgerharfe  "  and  "  Die  Glaubensstimme  "  at  once  discloses  the  fact 
that  in  the  former  is  to  be  found  a  large  number  of  revival  hymns, 
translated  from  "  Gospel  Hymns,"  or  modeled  after  them.  Under 
"Redemption,"  including  "  Invitation  to  Sinners,"  "  Repentance," 
etc.,  "Die  Glaubensstimme"  has  about  twenty  hymns,  "Die  Glau- 
bensharfe "  about  eighty.  There  is  considerable  English  music, 
too,  in  the  new  book.  This  is  partly  due  to  a  desire  for  rapid,  lively 
music,  and  partly  it  is  a  concession  to  the  younger  people  who  are 
familiar  with  the  hymns  in  "  Gospel  Hymns,"  and  like  to  sing  them. 
The  new  book  has  rapidly  made  its  way  into  use  in  the  German 
churches  in  the  United  States. 

The  Sunday-school  hymn  book  in  general  use  among  the  German 
Baptists  in  this  country  until  within  a  few  years  was  "  Das  Singvog- 
elein,"  arranged  by  Philipp  Bickel.  A  new  collection,  entitled 
"Die  Zionsklange,"  was  published  a  few  years  ago  at  Cleveland  by 
the  German  Baptist  Publication  Society. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Grimmell  has  published  a  small  collection  of  revival 
hymns,  entitled  "  Die  Werkstimme."  It  is  used  in  prayer-meetings 
and  at  evangelistic  services. 

Rev.  L.  H.  Donner,  in  1877,  published  "  Griiss-Gott,"  a  collection 
of  hymns  of  his  own  composition,  with  music,  for  use  in  Sunday- 
schools  and  at  family  devotions. 


INDEX 


OF 


TJie  first  lines  of  the  principal  Symns  of  the  Authors  noticed 
in  this  Book, 


A  crowd  fills  the  court  \F.  W.  Goadby 
Afflicted  saint,  to  Christ  draw  J.  Fawcett 
A  friend  there  is,  your  voices  •/.  Swain 
A  fulness  resides,  J.  Fawcett 

Again  our  weekly  labors  end,  J.  Stennett 
Apain  unto  Jesus  our  Savior,  J.  T.  Roberts 
A  host  of  spirits  round  the  B,  Beddome 
Ah,  wretched  souls,  who  thrive  A.  Steele 
Ah,  wretched,  vile,  ungrateful,  A.  Steele 
Aid  uie,  O  Christ,  thy  cross  to  T.  Rippon 
Aid  me,  O  thou  Holy  E.  W.  Freeman 

Alas,  the  deep  deceit  and  W.  Parkinson 
Alas,  what  hourly  dangers  rise,  A.  Steele 
Alike  in  happiness  or  woe,  B.  Beddome 
All  night  in  prayer  Eliz.  A.  Needham 

All  seeing,  gracious  Lord,  U.  C.  Graves 
All  those  wlio  seek  a  throne  of  O.  Holden 
Almighty  Father,  gracious  Lord,  A.  Steele 
Almighty  God,  by  thee  of  T.  V.  Tymms 
Almighty  God,  thy  H.  S.  Washbni-n 

Almighty  God,  before  thy  throne,  A.  Steele 
Almighty  lover  now  appear,  W.  A.  Clarke 
Almighty  maker  of  my  frame,  A.  Steele 
Almighty  Savior,  here  we  T.  Ealdwin 

Almost  persuaded,  now  to  P.  P.  Eliss 

Alone  in  the  world,  though  a  W.  C.  Buck 
Amid  the  joyous  scenes  of  J.  M.  Evans 
Amid  the  splendors  of  thystate,  J.  Rippon 
Amidst  ten  thousand  anxious  U'.  Tucker 
Amidst  us  our  Beloved  C.  B.  Spurgeon 
A  mother  may  forgetful  be,  A.  Steele 

And  can  my  heart  aspire  so  high,  A.  Steele 
And  did  the  holy  and  the  just,  A.  Steele 
And  have  I,  Christ,  no  love  to  S.  Stennett 
And  is  the  gospel,  peace  and  A.  Steele 

And  mast  I  part  with  all  I  B.  Beddome 

And  now  the  solemn  deed  is  S.  F.  Smith 
And  shall  I  sit  alone.  B.  Beddome 

And  will  the  Lord  thus  A.  Steele 

And  will  the  offended  God  S.  Stennett 

Angels  sang  the  natal  day,  H.  M.  King 
Another  brought  through  S.  tV.  Lyna 

Another  Sabbath  ended,  T.  V.  Tymms 

Another  six  days'  work  is  done,  J,  Stennett 
Arise  my  soul,  with  rapture  S.  F.  Smith 
Around  this  social  board,  J.  Stevens 

Ascend  thy  throne,  almighty  B.  Beddome 
As  flows  the  rapid  river,  S.  F.  Smith 

Ashamed  of  Christ !  my  soul,  J.  Needham 
As  on  the  cross  the  Savior  hung,  S.  Stennett 
Astonished  and  distressed,  B.  Beddome 
A  strength  thy  service  cannot  K.  Arvine 
As  when  in  silence  vernal  J.  Rippon 

At  the  King's  table  the  E.  G.  Taylor 

At  the  feet  of  Jesus,  P.  P.  Bliss 

Auspicious  morning !  hail,  S.  F.  Smith 


Awake,  awake,  arise,  J.  Needham 

Awake,  awake  the  sacred  song,  A.  Steele 
Awake,  my  soul,  awake  my  A.  Steele 

Awake,  my  soul,  in  joyful  lays,  S.  Medley 
Awake  my  tongue !  thy  tribute  J.  Needham 
A  weak  aud  weary  dove  with      J.  Dowlinq 

Beautiful  Star,  whose  heavenly  J.  H.  Betts 
Before  the  pool  a  sufferer  lay,  B.  Manly 
Before  thy  throne,  eternal  King,  B.  Francis 
Behold  he  comes,  the  glorious  J.  Tritton 
Behold,  O  Lord,  at  thy  W.  C.  Buck 

Behold,  O  Lord,  my  days  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
Behold,  O  Lord,  my  E.  W.  Freeman 

Behold,  the  day  is  come,  B.  Beddome 

Behold  the  lep'rous  Jew,  S.  Stennett 

Behold  the  light  in  heaven,  E.  T.  Winkler 
Behold,  the  Prince  of  Peace,  J.  Needham, 
Behold  the  sin  atoning  Lamb,  J.  Fawcett 
Believing  souls,  of  Christ  B.  Beddome 

Be  our  joyful  song  today,  Selina  P.  Pearce 
Bethesdais  open,  the  angel  has  F.  Denison 
Be  thou,  O  Lord,  my  treasure,  B.  Beddome 
Beyond  the  glittering,  starry  sky,  J.  Fanch 
Beyond  where  Cedron's  waters,  S.  F.  Smith 
Blessed  is  the  man  that  C  H.  Spurgeon 
Blessed  Jesus,  blessed  Jesus,  E.  Ttimey 
Blessed  Savior,  my  W.  H.  Geistweit 

Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds,  J,  Fawcett 

Blest  Comforter  divine,  B.  Beddome 

Blest  is  the  hour  when  cares  S.  F.  Smith 
Blest  Sabbath,  day  of  A.  M.  Poind exter 
Blest  Savior,  we  thy  will  obey,  £.  Beddome 
Bought  with  the  Savior's  J.  B.  Cook 

Brethren,  I  have  come.once  more,/.  Leland 
Brethren,  while  we  sojourn  here,  J.  Swain 
Bright  and  joyous  be  our  lay,  B.  W.  Provis 
Bright  falls  the  morning  IF.  J.  Mathams 
Brightly  beams  our  Father's  P.  P.  Bliss 
Brightness  of  the  Father's  R.  Robinson 
Bright  star  of  the  Savior  T.  Brown 

Buried  beneath  the  yielding      £.  Beddome 

Can  aught  beneath  a  power  A.  Steele 

Can  sinners  hope  for  heaven,  B.  Beddome 
Cast  on  this  earth  a  feeble  G.  Francis 

Change  is  our  portion  here,  J.  H.  Evans 
Children  of  the  King  of  grace,  J.  Sieain 
Children  of  Zion,  what  harp  J.  Bowling 
Christians,  if  your  hearts  be  J.  Leland 
Christian  worship,  how  invit'g,  L.  Kneeland 
Christ,  who  came  my  soul  to  S.  D.  Phelps 
Closer  to  thy  side  I  cling,  E.  G.  Taylor 
Come  and  taste  along  with  me,  J.  Leland 
Come,  blessed  Spirit,  source  B.  Beddome 
Come,  dear  brethren  in  W.  Parkinson 

Come,  every  pious  heart,  S.  Stennett 


672 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


,  friends  and  let  our  S.  D.  Phelps 
,  bapi)y  souls,  adore  the  T.  Jlaldwin 
,  lieaveiily  love,  inspire  my  A.  Steele 
,  Holy  Spirit,  come,  li.  Beddome 

,  Holy  Spirit,  dove  divine,  A.  Judsim 
,  Holy  Spirit,  t'loni  the  G.  Tyers 

,  hunible  sinners,  in  whose     E.  Jones 

joui,  ye  saints,  with  heart  S.  Medley 
,  Kinj;  of  Rlory,  come,  B.  Francis 
,  lot  our  souls  .adore,  A.  Steele 

.  1ft  us  sliuvv  our  love  to  M.  Grace 
,  Lord,  and  vpiirm  each  A.  Steele 

,  Lord,  dwell  in  my  bosom,  J.  Doioling 
,  Lord,  in  mercy  come  N.  Colver 

,  O  thou  Kinj;  of  all  thy  A.  Steele 
,  praying  souls,  rejoice,  S.  Medley 
,  saints,  adore  your  S.  P.  Hill 

,  sinners,  saith  the  mighty  S.  Stennett 
Spirit,  source  of  light,  £.  Beddome 
,  tell  us  your  troubles,  ye  J.  Bower 
,  thou  desire  of  all  thy  A.  Steele 

,  thou  eternal  Spirit.  B.  Beddome 

,  thou  fount  of  every  B.  Bobinson 
to  the  place  of  prayer,  B.  TurnbuU 
to  the  Savior  now,  J.  M.  WUjncr 
trembling  soul,  be  not  S.  D.  Phelps 
,  weary  souls  with  sin  A.  Steele 

welcome  tliis  new  year,    T.  Baldwin 
ye  faithful,  raise  the 
ye  saints  and  raise 
ye  souls  by  sin  afflicted, 
,  ye  that  fear  the  Lord, 

ye  that  love  the  Savior's 


J.  Hupton 

J.  Hupton 

J.  Swain 

S.  Stennett 

A.  Steele 


ye  who  bow  to  sovereign     J.  Upton 


Come 
Come 
Come 
Come; 
Come, 
Come, 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come, 
Come 
Coiup, 
Come, 
Come, 
Come, 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come 
Come. 
Come, 


Dark  was  the  hour,  when  Jesus  J.  Tupper 
Deal  kindly  with  my  Master,  K.  G.  I'aylor 
Dearest  of  names,  our  Lord,  our  S.  Medley 
Dear  Father,  to  thy  mercy  seat,  A.  Steele 
Dear  Lord,  and  shall  thy  Spirit  A.  Steele 
Dear  Lord,  and  will  thy  pardon'g  J.  Fellows 
Dear  Lord,  how  bitter  is  the  B.  Beddome 
Dear  refuge  of  my  weary  soul,  A.  Steele 
Dear  Savior,  hear  our  prayer,  J.  M.  Heices 
Dear  Savior,  prostrate  at  thy  ,S'.  Stennett 
Dear  Savior,  when  my  thoughts  A.  Steele 
Death  is  no  more  a  friglitfuT  JF.  W.  Home 
Deep  are  the  wounds  which  sin  A.  Steele 
Deluded  souls !  who  thinlv  to  J.  Needhani 
Depraved  minds  on  ashes  feed,  J.  Fawcett 
Descend,  celestial  Dove,  J.  Felloios 

Desponding  soul,  O  cease  T.  U.  Walter 
Did  Christ  o'er  sinners  weep,  B.  Beddome 
Did  Jesus  weep  for  me,  S,  D.  Phelps 

Dost  thou  my  profit  seek,  B.  Beddome 

Down  to  the  sacred  wave,  S.  F.  Smith 

Draw  near,  O  God,  to  me,  C.  C.  Luther 
Draw  near,  ye  saints,  with      W.  W.  Home 

Enslaved  by  sin  and  bound  in  A.  Steele 
Enter,  Jesus  bids  tliee  welcome,  S.  Dyer 
Eternal  (Jod,  almighty  A.  M.  Poindexter 
Eternal  Power,  Almighty  God,  A.  Steele 
Eternal  source  of  every  good,  B.  Beddome 
Eternal  Sovereign  of  the  skies,  ./.  Deacon 
Eternal  Spirit,  heavenly  dove,  B.  Beddome 
Eternity  is  just  at  hand,  A.  Steele 

Europe,  speak  the  mighty  name,  J.  Lawson 
Ever  gracious,  loving  Siivior,  L.  Marshall 
Expand  my  soul,  arise  and  sing,  IK  Tucker 
Eye  hath  not  seen,  O  human  Clara  B.  Heath 

Faint  not  Christian,  though  J.  H.  Eoans 
Faith  ad<ls  new  cluirms  to  D.  Turner 

Faith  is  of  endless  life  A.  M.  Poindexter 
Faith  —  'tis  a  precious  grace,  Ji.  Beddome 
Far  from  those  narrow  scenes  of  •  A.  Steele 
Far  off  beyond  the  sea  I  love,  A.  D.  Gillette 


Father,  at  thy  call  I  come,  »S.  Stennett 

Father,  from  thy  throne  S.  D.  Phelps 

Father,  gathered  round  H.  S.  Washburn 
Father,  of  a  race  divine,  J.  H.  Evans 

Father  of  all,  before  thy  J.  //.  Hinton 

Father  of  mercies,  bow  thine  B.  Beddome 
Father  of  mercies,  condescend,  J.  Lawson 
Father  of  mercies,  God  of  love,  S.  Medley 
Father  of  mercies,  in  thy  word,  A.  Steele 
Father,  we  bless  the  gentle  <S'.  S.  Cutting 
Father,  whate'er  of  earthly  bliss,  A.  Steele 
Father,  who  givest  us  now  the  M.  F.  Heam 
Fight  we  must,  but  shoula  uot  «/.  Sivain 
Fly,  ye  sinners,  to  your  B.  Burnham 

Follow  the  paths  of  Jesus.  C.  B.  Blackall 
For  the  promise  of  the  Georgia'  L.  Heath 
Forward,  brave  men  to  the  F.  Denison 

Fountain  of  mercy,  God  of  A.  Flowerdeto 
Fountain  of  truth,  and  grace,  J.  Laivson 
Free  grace  to  every  heaven-born  J.  Dracup 
Friend  of  sinners,  hear  //.  L.  Morehouse 
Friends  for  whom  a  Savior  J.  N.  Bro%on 
From  every  earthly  pleasure,  E.  Davis 
From  the  riven  rock  there  G.  C.  Needham, 
From  thy/dear,  pierced  side,  B.  Beddome 
From  whence  doth  this  union  T.  Baldwin 
From  yonder  rocky  mountains,  C.  Thurber 

Gird  thy  sword  on,  mighty  J.  Byland 

Glad  was  my  soul  when  the  F.  M.  Lamb 
Gladsome  we  hail  this  day's  D.  Burns 

Glory  to  God,  whose  spirit  B.  W.  Noel 

Glory  to  God,  who  reigns  J.  Needham 

Glcry  to  the  eternal  King,  B.  Francis 

God  ill  the  gospel  of  his  Son,  B.  Beddome 
God  is  the  fountain  whence  B.  Beddome 
God  of  my  life,  my  morning  song,  A.  Steele 
God  of  the  seas,  whose  rulnig  B.  Manly 
God  of  the  sunlight  Mrs.  M.  G.  Saffery 
God  of  the  world,  near  and  S.  S.  Cutting 
God  with  us,  O  glorious  name,  B.  Manly 
God's  holy  law  transgressed,  B.  Beddome 
(io  forth,  ye  saints,  behold  B.  Beddome 
Go  preach  the  blest  salvation,  S.  Dyer 

G),  speak  of  the  sainted  dead,  J.  N.  Brown 
Go,  teach  the  nations  and  J.  Felloios 

Go  to  the  mercy  seat,  J.  Dowling 

Gracious  Lord,  hast  thou  Ifi.  C.  Buck 

Gracious  Savior,  we  adore  S.  S.  Cutting 
Grander  than  ocean's  story,  W.  F.  Shenvin 
Great  Foimt  of  Kings!  E.  Cushman 

Great  God,  amid  the  darksome  S.  Stennett 
Great  God,at  thy  command,  J.  //.  liana  ford 
Great  God,  avow  this  house  thine  J.  Tyers 
Great  God,  my  Maker  and  my  B.  Beddome 
Great  God!  now  condescend,  J.  Fellows 
Great  God  of  providence !  thy  B.  Beddome 
Great  God,  oppr  ssed  with  B.  Beddome 
Great  God,  one  thought  of  thee,  W.  C.  Buck 
Great  God !  this  sacred  day  of  A.  Steele 
Great  God!  to  thee  my  evening  A.  Steele 
Great  God,  we  in  thy  courts  J.  Felloios 
Great  God,  whose  hosts  of  S.  Stennett 

Great  God!  where'er  we  iiitch  T.  Bippon 
Great  is  our  guilt,  our  fears,  A.  Steele 

Great  King  of  glory,  come,  B.  Francis 
Great  King  of  kings  and  Lord  S.  P.  Hill 
Great  Kedeemer,  let  thy  E.  Cushman 

Great  Ruler  of  the  earth  and  A.  Steele 

Great  Shepherd  of  thine  W.  Parkinson 
Great  'Source  of  boundless  power  A.  Steele 
Great  Source  of  uncreated  light,  H.  Paice 
Green  the  hillside  ever  fair,    S.  S.  Cutting 

Hall  not  the  Lord,  my  soul  may  .7.  Byland 
Hail  brethren,  wliile  together  ,S'.  W.  Lynd 
Hail,  pr'cions  book  divine,  J.  Marshman 
Hail !  mighty  Jesus,  how  divine,  B.  Wallin 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


673 


Hail,  sweetest,  dearest  tie  tliat  A.  Sutton 
Hallelujah,  praise  the  L:>rd.  £.  R.  Trestrail 
Happy  bejond  description  he,  J.  Xeedham 
Happy,  forever  happy  he,  B.  Beddome 

Happy  the  man  whose  cautious  /.  Needham 
Happy  tlie  man  whose  Lliss  G.  Timms 

Hark,  how  the  f^ospel  trumpets  .S.  Slcdley 
Hark,  sinner,  hark,  Go  i  speaks  IF.  Hague 
Hark,  sinner,  while  God  trom  J.  li.  Hague 
Hark,  the  angel  hosts  are  F.  Johnson 

Hark,  the  cry  is  wafted  onward,  A.  Kenyan 
Hark,  the  risin:^  anthem  M.  Drayman 

Hark,  the  voice  of  injured  E.  Cushman 
Hark !  the  voice  of  love  and  B.  Francis 
Hark,  'tis  the  oie  creative  M.  Br  ay  man 
Hark,  'tis  the  song  of  heaven,  J.  T.  Wigncr 
Hark,  what  cry  arrests  my  ear,  A.  Suttnn 
Hark,  what  melodious  sounds  II.  S.  James 
Hastennig  on  to  death's  dark  11.  S.  James 
Hast  thou  said  exalted  Jesus,  J.  E.  Giles 
Have  you  found  the  Savior  E.  W.  Freeman 
Head  of  the  church  and  Lord  of  J.  Tritton 
Head  of  the  church,  to  A.  M.  Poindexter 
H.'ar,  gracious  God,  a  sinner's  S.  Medley 
Hear,  gracious  God,  my  humble  A.  Steele 
Hear,  O  my  God,  with  pity  hear,  A.  Steele 
He  comes!  he  comes!  to  judge  S.  Stennett 
He  leadeth  me,  O  blessed  J.  H.  Gilmore 
He  lives,  tiie  great  Redeemer  A.  Steele 
He  rose,  O  morn  of  wonder,  T.  Brown 

Heirs  of  unendinij  life,  B.  Beddome 

Help  me,  my  Lord,  to  grow,  A.  S.  Phelps 
Help  thy  servant,  pracious  A.  Broaddus 
Here  at  thy  table,  Lord,  we  S.  Stennett 
Here,  Lord,  my  soul  convicted  J.  Rippon 
Here,  Lord,  relieved,  1  bow  in  M.  Belles 
Here.  O  ye  ifaithful,  see,  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
His  sacred  head,  the  Holy  A.  M.  Poindexter 
Ho,  all  ye  sons  of  sin  and  woe,  J.  L.  Holmnn 
Ho,  my  comrades,  see  the  signal,  P.  P.  Bliss 
Ho,  ye  who  thirst  a  living  foimt,/.  Russell 
Holy  and  reverend  is  the  name,  J.  N'eedhnm 
Holy  Bible,  book  divine,  J.  Burton 

Holy  Bible,  choicest  treasure,  D.  Benedict 
Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord,  B.  Manly 

Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord,  self  J.  Ryland 

Holy  Lord,  lend  now  thine  J.  M.  Hewes 
Holy  spirit,  at  this  hour,  J.  J^.  Folioell 

Holy  spirit,  hear  us,  JV.  H.  Parker 

Holy  wonder,  heavenly  grace,  D.  Turner 
How  arduous  is  the  pre  icher's  J.  Leland 
How  blest  is  he,  how  truly  wise,  A.  Steele 
How  blest  the  hour  when  fa-st  ,S'.  F.  Smith 
How  calmly  wakes  the  hallow'd  S.  F.  Smi'h 
How  charming  is  the  place,  S.  Stennett 

How  did  the  powers  of  darkness  J.  Fawcett 
How  far  beyond  our  mortal  A.  Steele 

How  tirm  a  foundation  C  Keith,  R.  KeeHe{?) 
How  free  and  boundless  is  B.  Beddome 
How  great,  how  solemn  is  the,  B.  Beddome 
How  great  the  wisdom,  power,  B.  Beddome 
How  helpless  guilty  nature  lies,  A.  Steele 
How  long,  great  God,  shall,  W.  Parkinson 
How  long  and  tedious  are,  }V.  Parkinson 
How  long  shall  earth's  alluring,  A.  Steele 
How  lovely,  how  divinely  sweet,  A.  Steele 
How  lovely  the  emblem  of  faith,  E.  Turney 
How  oft,  alas,  this  wretched,  A.  Steele 

How  precious  is  the  book,  J.  Fawcett 

How  sadly  flow  the  waters,  R.  S.  James 
How  shall  tlie  sons  of  men,  S.  Stennett 
How  sinks  my  heart  in  death's,  A  G. Palmer 
How  soft  the  wortls  my  Savior,  S.  Stennett 
How  sweet,  how  heavenly  is  the,  /.  Swain 
How  sweet  is  the  Sabbath,  how,  L.  B.  Allen 
How  sweet  when  worn  with,         iV^.  Sutler 


How  various  and  how  new,  S.  Stennett 
Humble  souls,  who  seek  J.  Fawcett 

I  am  s>  glad  my  Father  in  P.  P.  IJIiss 

I  am  the  Lord's,  and  he  Annie  S.  H tivks 
I  am  the  Lord's,  I  bear  Eliz.  A.  X^'edham 
If  Christ  is  mine,  then  all  is  B.  Beddome 
If  God  is  mine,  then  present  B.  Beddome 
L.'  I  must  die,  oh,  let  me  die,  B.  Beddome 
If  secret  fraud  should  dwell,  B.  Beddome 
If  there's  a  time  completely  A.  G.  Palmer 
1  know  that  my  redeemer  lives,  S.  Medley 
I  my  tbenezer  raise,  /.  Fawcett 

I  need  thee  every  liour,  Annie  S.  Haicks 
I  need  thee,  O  my  God.  W.  F.  Sherwin 

lu  all  my  Lord's  appointed  ways,  J.  Ryland 
In  doubt's  dim  twilight  here  /<.  Manly 

In  duty  and  in  suffermg  too,  B.  Beddome 
In  expectatiou  sweet,  J.  Swain 

la  Jordan's  tide  the  Baptist  J.  Fellows 
In  life's  joyous  morning,  while  G.  B.  Ide 
In  loud  exalted  strains,  B.  Francis 

In  mounts  of  danger  and  of  J.  Franklin 
In  sins  howling  waste  my  poor  J.  Mercer 
In  songs  of  sublime  G.  Keith,  R.  Kcene  (?) 
In  sweet  exalted  strains,  B.  Francis 

In  that  far  distant  land,  C.  Swift 

In  the  floods  of  tribulation,  S.  Pearce 

In  this  dark  and  evil  day,  E.  Pledge 

In  this  lone  hour  of  deep  W.  L.  Dennis 
In  thy  temple,  God  E.  W.  Freeman 

In  vain  I  trace  creation  o'er,  A.  Steele 

In  vain  the  giddy  world  S.  Stennett 

In  vain  my  roving  thoughts  A.  Steele 

In  vain  the  world's  alluring  A.  Steele 

In  Zion's  rock  abiding,  P..P.  Illiss 

Indulgent  God,  to  thee  I  raise,  T.  Coles 
Infinite  excellence  is  thine,  J.  Fawcett 

I  set  myself  against  the  Lord,  J.  Leland 
I  stand,  but  not  where  once  G.  C.  Xeedham, 
I  stand  on  Zion's  mount,  J.  Swain 

I  will  exalt  thee,  Lord  of  C.  //.  Sjmrgeon 
I  will  sing  of  my  Redeemer,       P.  P.  Bliss 

Jerusalem,  dear  land  Eliz.  A.  Xeedham 
Jesus,  and  didst  thou  leave  the,  A.  Steele 
Jesus  and  shall  it  ever  be,  J.  Grigrj 

Jesus  Christ,  our  precious  L.  Mar  hall 
Jesus,  delightful,  charming  Jl.  Beddome 
Jesus  demands  this  heart  of  mine,^.  Steele 
Jesus!  engrave  it  on  my  heart,  S.  Jfedley 
Jesus,  full  of  all  compassion,  I).  Turner 
Jesus  hear  me  when  I  pray,  A.  Kenyan 
Jesus,  in  thy  transporting  name,  A.  Steele 
Jesus  is  our  great  salvation.  J.  Adams 

Jesus,  I  thee  believe,  H.  Buttericorth 

Jesus,  mighty  King  in  Zion,  J.  Fellotcs 
Jesus,  my  Lord,  I  own  thee  God,  B.  Manly 
Jesus,  my  Lord,  my  God,  S.  T.  Rand 

Jesus,  my  Lord,  my  life,  my  all,  .S'.  Medley 
Jesus,mylove  my  chief  delight  B.  Beddome 
Jesus,  my  Savior  and  my  God,  .s'.  Stennett 
Jesus,  my  Savior!  bind  me  fast,  B.  Beddome 
Jesus,  my  Savior,  let  me  he,  B.  Beddome 
Jesus!  O  word  divinely  sw^et,  J.  Stenne't 
Jesus  only  would  I  see,  E.  Pledge 

Jesus,  poorest  of  the  poor,  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
Jesus,  Savior,  thou  dost  Caroline  Dent 

Jesns,  the  heavenly  lover,  give.  /.  Fawcett 
Jesus,  thou  alone  canst  save.  W.  IF.  Home 
Jesus,  the  spring  of  j  ys  divine.  A.  Steele 
Jesus,  thou  art  tlie  sinner's  7?.  Burnham 
Jesus,  thou  source  divine,  A.  Steele 

Jesus,  we  own  thy  sovereign  J.  B.  Cook 
Jesus  wept  on  Oiivet,  E.  Pledge 

Jesus,  when  faith  with  fixed      B.  Beddome 

Kind  are  the  words  that  Jesus  J.  Xeedham 


674 


INDEX    OF  FIRST   LIXES. 


Lead  me,  0  thou  precious  Z>.  H.  Lloyd e 
Let  avarice  from  sliore  to  shore,  J.  SttnuM 
Let  every  creature  join,  A,  Steele 

Let  every  heart  rejoice  H.  S.  Washbuiii 
Let  party  names  no  more,  B.  Bed  dome 

Let  plenteous  jrrace  descend  Jas.  Newton 
Let  the  most  blessed  he  my  J.  Bunyan 

Let  us  sing;  the  Kinf?  Messiah,  J  Ryland 
Let  worldly  men,  t'roui  shore  J.  Stennett 
Life  is  a  span,  a  fleeting  liour,  A.  Steele 
Lo,  a  loving  friend  is  waiting,  J.M.  Wigner 
Lo!  now  with  joy  we  enter,  J.  Compston 
Lo,  on  a  mount  that  Burma  li.  IF.  Cushman 
Lo,  the  day  of  God  is  W.  F.  Sfierioin 

Lou;;  with  doubts  and  fears  If.  Parkinson 
Look  above — the  skies  are  C.  T.  Dayton 
Look  up,  my  soul,  with  cheerful  A.  Steele 
Look  up,  ye  saints,  direct  your  J.  Needham 
Lord,  at  thy  table  I  behold,  J.  Stennett 
Lord  (rod  of  our  salvation,  J.  Tritton 

Lord,  hast  thou  made  me  know  J.  Faivcett 
Lord,  how  mysterious  are  thy  A.  Steele 
Lord,  how  shall  wretched  sinners  A.  Steele 
Lord,  I  delight  in  thee,  J.  Itt/land 

Lord,  I  deserve  thy  deepest  wrath, /i.  Manly 
Lord,  I  read  of  tender  mercy,  T.  V.  Tymms 
Lord,  I  would  dwell  with  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
Lord,  in  huml>le  sweet  Jl.  T.  Daniel 

Lord  in  thy  churches  ever  dwell,  C.  Cole 
Lord,  in  thy  great,  thy  A.  Steele 

Lord,  in  thy  presence  here  we  J.  L.  Hohnan 
Lord  in  the  temples  of  thy  grace,  A.Steele 
Lord,  let  ine  live  for  thee.  Annie  S.  Hawks 
Lord,  i-ord,  my  heart  K.  T.  Winkler 

Lord, make  my  conversation  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
Lord  of  every  land  and  nation,  11.  llobinsov, 
Lord  of  my  life!  O  may  thy  A.  Steele 

Lord  of  Hosts,  how  lovely  fair,  D.  Twner 
Lord,  teach  a  little  child  to  pray,  J.  By  land 
Lord,  thou  hast  been  thy  children's  A.Steele 
Lord,  thy  church,  without  a  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
Lord,  we  adore  thy  boundless  A.  Steele 
Lord,  we  early  come  to  meet  thee,  G.  B.  Ide 
Lord,  what  thy  providence  A.  Steele 

Lord,  when  I  reail  the  traitor's  J.  Byland 
Lo"d,  when  my  thoughts,  A.  Steele 

Lord,  when  our  raptured  thought  A.  Steele 
Lonl,  with  a  grieved  and  B.  Beddome 

Lost  one,  wandering  on  in      J.  M.  Wigner 

Majestic  sweetness  sits  enthroned, .§.,9^ejMie/< 
Make  haste,  O  God,  my  soul  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
Make  us  by  thy  transforming,  A.  Steele 
Maker  of  land  and  rolling  sea,  D.  C.  Eddy 
Meekly  in  Jordan's  holy  stream, .*>.  F.  Smith 
Men  of  God,  be  up  and  doing,  B.  Grace 
'Mid  scenes  of  coii fusion  and  Z>.  Dcnham 
Mighty  God,  while  angels  bless  B.  Bobinson 
Mighty  Lord,  all  lords  Georgiana L.  Htath 
'Mong  all  the  priests  of  Jewish  S.  Stennett 
Morn  awakes  and  woodlands  T.  Oondby 
Mortals  awa'ce,  with  angels  join,  S.  Medley 
Most  gracious  to  fulfil  thy  word..S'.  F.  Smith 
Mother,  has  the  dove  that  E.  C.  Judson 
Must  I  go,  and  empty  handed,  C.  C.  Luther 
My  blessed  Savior,  is  thy  love,  J.  Stennett 
My  captain  so'uids  the  alarm  of  <S'.  Stennett 
My  Christ  an  friends  in  bonds  of  J,  Blam 
My  country,  'tis  of  thee,  S.  F  Smith 

My  Father,  O  my  Father  hear,  J.  H.  Evans 
My  friends,  tlie  parting  hour  is /.  N.  Brovni 
My  God,  my  Father!  blissful  name,vJ.  Steele 
My  (Joil,  oh  could  I  make  thee,  A  Steele 
My  God,  'tis  to  tliy  meit-y-seat,  A.  Steele 
My  gracious  Redeemer  I  love,  B.  Francis 
My  heart,  (Xiod,  be  wholly  W.  J.  Mat  hams 
My  heart  is  pierced  with  S.  S.  Burdett 


My  hope  is  built  on  nothing  less,  E.  Mote 
My  Maker  and  my  King,  A.  Steele 

My  rising  soul,  with  strong  B.  Beddome 
My  sin  is  great,  my  strength  is  B.  F.  Colby 
My  soul  shall  wait  upon  the  M.  H.  Hawley 
My  soul,  the  Lord  adore,  »S'.  P.  Hill 

My  times  of  sorrow  and  of  joy,  B.  Beddome 
My  tremblilig  soul  to  Jesus    J.  H.  Gilmore 

Nearer  home,  oh  blessed  C.  C.  Luther 

Nearer,  O  Christ,  to  thee,  C.  H.  Bowe 

Night  her  solemTi  mantle  spread8,.S^.i''.,S'OTi<A 
No  more,  dear  Savior,  will  I  S.  Stennett 
No  mortal  ties  can  be  W.  Parkinson 

No  night  in  heaven,  eternal  T.  L.  Bailey 
No  night  shall  be  in  heaven,  no  G.  Bobins 
No  one  knows  but  Jesus,  ir.  //.  Doane 

No  room  in  thy  heai  t,  H.  L.  Morehouse 
No  tie  so  strong  or  sweet  B.  W.  Provis 
Not  all  the  nobles  of  the  earth,  .S'.  Stennett 
Now  begin  the  heavenly  J.  Langford  (?) 
Now  faintly  smile  day's  hasty  A.  Steele 
Now  far  above  these  starry  D.  Turner 

Now  I  know  the  great  R.  Burnham 

Now  I  resolve  with  all  my  A.  Steele 

Now  in  song  of  grateful  praise,  S.  Medley 
Now  in  this  consecrated  E.  T.  Winkler 
Now  let  the  slumbering  chord  J.  Byland 
Now  let  us  raise  one  last  G.  W.  Anderson 
Now  let  us  raise  our  cheerful  A.  Steele 

Now  the  Savior  stands  a  pleading,/.  Leland 

O  be  not  angry.  Lord,  H.  Paice 

O  blessed  Savior,  is  thy  love,  J.  Stennett 
O  charge  the  waves  to  bear  our  W.  Ward 
O  church  of  Christ,  our  H.  Butterworth 
O  could  I  find  from  day  to  day,/?.  Cleavland 
O'er  Columbia's  widespread  D.  Benedict 
Oft  have  I  turned  my  eye  S.  Stennett 

O  Father,  Lord  of  earth  J.  W.  Willmarth 
O  for  a  sweet,  inspiring  ray,  A.  Steele 

O  gracious  God,  in  whom  I  live,  A.  Steele 
O  glorious  God,  eternal  and  J.  B.  Mulford 
O  God,  my  helper  ever  near,  J:  Fawcett 
O  God,  the  prayer  of  thy  Mrs.  S.  A.  Collins 
O  God,  the  refuge  of  my  soul,  A.  Steele 
O  God,  thou  hast  cast  off  thy  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
O  God,  through  countless  J.  D.  Knowles 
O  God,  who  art  through  all  the  T.  Goadby 
O  happy  service  that  invites,  W.  C.  Richards 
Oh!  could  I  speak  the  niatctiless  S.  Medley 
Oh !  could  our  thoughts  and  A.  Steele 

Oh,  for  a  stainless  record,  A.  A.  Bennett 
Oh !  for  a  sweet  inspiring  ray,  A.  Steele 
Oh!  for  the  death  of  those,  S.  F.  Smith 
Oh!  how  divine,  how  sweet  J.  Needham 
Oh,  love  divine,  oh  matchless  E.  Turney 
Oh!  may  my  heart  l>y  grace  J.  Fawcett 
Oh,  not  my  own  these  verdant  S.  F.  Smith 
Oh !  what  amazini;-  words  of  S.  Medley 

O  Jesus,  blessed  Jesus,  J.  T.  Roberts 

O  Jesus,  meek  and  lowly,  J.  F.  Smythe 
O  let  our  thoughts  and  wishes  A.  Steele 
O  Lord  and  will  thy  pardoning  .7.  Fellows 
O  Lord,  awakened  liythy  Jlnttic  .U.  Conrey 
O  Lord,  I  would  delight  in  thee,  J.  Ryland 
O  Lord,  if  in  the  book  oi  life,  B.  Beddome 
O  Lord  of  glory  be  my  light,  T.  V.  Tijmms 
O  Lord,  our  Strength  and  F.  H.  lihbarts 
()  Loril,  revive  thy  work,  J.  T.  Wiqner 
O  Lord,  tlioii  art  my  Lord,  B.  Beddome 
O  Lord,  thy  perfect  word,  B.  Beddome 

O  Lord,  thy  tender  mercy  hears,  A.  Steele 
O  Love  beyond  conception  great,  IF.  Tucker 
O  my  soul  is  cast  down,  J.  Dowting 

<)  my  soul,  what  means  this  J.  Faivcett 
On  liritain,  long  a  favored  isle,iJ.  Beddome 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


675 


On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  ,S.  Stennett 
On  the  banks  beyond  the  i  iver,  L.  liaxtei- 
On  the  wings  of  faith  uprising,  J.  ,Sicaiii 
Once  I  was  estranged  from  J.  H.  Hinion 
Once  more  dear  God  of  grace,  W.  Gachby 
Once  more  we  leave  the  busy  J.  L'uu/ley 
One  sole  baptismal  sign,  Jl.  Robinson 

Onward  herald  of  the  G.  W.  Anderson 

Onward  speed  thy  conquering  ,S'.  F.  Smith 
O  our  Redeemer  God,  A.  M.  Poindexter 
O  Savior,  I  am  blind,  S.  S.  Cutting 

O  shall  I  wear  a  starless  crown,  L.  Baxter 
O  shout  for  the  day  of  the  W.  C.  Buck 

O  sinful  soul,  what  hast  thou  J.  /?.  Hague 
O  sinner,  canst  thou  yet  defer,  J.  B.  Hague 
O  sinner  idly  dreaming,  E.  T.  Winkler 
O  sinner,  the  Savior  is  W.  F.  Siienoin 

O  sinner,  why  so  thoughtless  J.  Bippon 
O  sinners,  to  the  Savior  go,  W.  Dossey 

O  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  J.  B.  Hague 

O  Spirit  stay,  fly  not  away,  A.  J.  Rowland 
O  that  like  Mary  I  Sarah  B.  Thresher 

O  thou,  in  whose  presence  my  J.  Sxcain 
O  thou  most  holy  Oie,  E.  Pledge 

O  thou  my  soul,  forget  no  Krishnu  Pal 
O  thou  that  hearest  let  our  J.  H.  Hinton 
O  thou  that  hearest  prayer,  J.  Burton 

O  thou  who  once  in  J  ordan's  T.  B.  Ripley 
O  thou  whose  hand  has  F.  IV.  Goad  by 

O  thou  whose  tender  mercy  A.  Steele 

O  thou  whose  wisdom  gives  /?.  JF.  Cushman 
O  thou  with  whom  a  >/'.  C  Wilkinson 

O  wliat  iunazing  words  of  grace,  S.  Medley 
O  when  the  tear  is  gushing,  G.  B.  Ide 

O  who  can  comprehend  tlie  S.  Deacon 

O  why,  ye  redeemed,  should  R.  W. Cushman 
Our  country's  voice  is  M.  F.  Anderson 

Our  Father,  God,  who  art  in  A.  Judson 
Our  fathers  Friend  and  God  F.  W,  Goadby 
Our  few  revolving  years,  B.  Beddome 

Our  God  invites  the  wanderers  B.  Manly 
Our  hearts  have  heard,  O  C'.  H.  Spurqeon 
Our  hymn  of  thanks  we  sing  S.  S.  All  sop 
Our  land  with  mercies  E.  T.  Winkler 

Our  Savior  bowed  beneath  the  A.  Judson 
Our  si"8  on  Christ  were  laid,  J.  Fawcett 
Out  of  the  depths  of  doubt  and    </.  Ryland 

Parched  by  the  noontide  heat,  G.  B.  Ide 
Peri.<.it  me,  Lord,  to  seek  thy  A.  Steele 

Pilgrims  we  are  and  strangers,  J.  Burton 
Planted  in  Christ  the  living  S.  F.  Smith 
Praise  the  Lord,  with  C.  H.  Spurgeon 

Praise  the  Redeemer,  almighty  W.  Groser 
Praise  the  Savior,  all  ye  nations,  B.  Francis 
Praise  to  thee,  the  great  Creator,  J.  Fawcett 
Praise  ye  the  Lord,  his  praise  J.  H.  Etjans 
Praise  ye  the  Lord,  let  praise,  A.  Steele 
Prayer  is  the  breath  of  God  in  B.  Beddome 
Precious  Savior,  dearest  W.  H,  Doane 

Prince  of  Life,  enthroned  In  T.  Goadby 
Proclaim,  saith  Christ,  my  James  Netcton 
Proclaim  the  lofty  praise,  S.  B.  Judson 
Prophetic  era,  blissful  day,  E.  Steane 

Prostrate  at  Jesus'  Jeet  behold  O.  B.  Ide 
Prostrate,  dear  Jesus,  at  thy       S.  Stennett 

Rejoice,  the  Savior  reigns,  J.  Ryland 

Kejoice  ye  saints,  rejoice  and  J.  H.  Evans 
Religion  is  the  chief  concern  J.  Fawcett 
Remember  thy  Creator,  W.  L.  Dennis 

Remember  thy  Creator,  S.  F.  Smith 

Repeat  the  story  o'er  and  o'er.  P.  P.  Bliss 
Repent,  repent,  the  liaptist cries,  J.  B.  Cook 
Restless  thy  sjiirit.  poor  A.  Broaddus 

Return  my  soul,  enjoy  the  rest,  J.  Stennett 
Ride  forth,  victorious"  Prince  of  R.  Grace 
Ring  out  your  pure  liosannas,       T.  Brown 


Rise,0  my  soul,pursue  the  path,/.  Needham 
Risen  Lord,  thou  hast  rec'd,  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
Rouse  ye  at  the  Savior's  call ,  E.  W. Freeman 
Ruler  of  worlds,  display  thy  B.  H.  Draper 

Saints,  obey  your  Loril's  S.  S.  Burdett 

Savior,  like  a  bird  to  thee  W.  H.  Doane 
Savior,  source  of  every  bless'g,  R.  Uobinson 
Savior,  thy  dying  love,  S.  D.  Phelps 

Savior,  we  seek  the  watery  Maria  G.  Sajf'ery 
Savior,  who  from  the  chosen  spot,./.  Tritton 
Savior,  while  my  heart  is  teu'ier,  J.  Burton 
Say  not,  O  wounded  heart,  W.  P.  Balfern 
5-ee  a  poor  sinner,  dearest  Lord,  .S'.  Medley 
See,  gracious  God,  before  thy  A.  Steele 
See,  Jesus  stands  with  open  arms,  A.  Steele 
See  how  the  fruitless  fig-tree  J.  Harbotile 
See  how  the  willing  converts  J.  Stennett 
See  th.at  ship,  her  sails  now  T.  Baldwin 
Send.O  send. the  glorious  gos'l,C.  T.  Dayton 
Send  thy  blessing.  Lord,  we  A.  Broaddus 
Shall  Je-iius  descend  from  the  D.  Turner 
Should  bounteous  Nature  kindly  S.  Stennett 
Shout,  for  the  blesse<l  Jesus  li.  Beddome 
Sinner,  why  so  idly  standing,  J.  B.  Mulford 
Sinners  are  bending,  U.  Turnbull 

Sinners,  the  voice  of  God  J.  Faiccett 

Sinners,  y(ni  are  now  addressed,!^.  Fountain 
Sing  O  heavens,  and  earth  H.  M.  King 
Sing  to  the  Lord,  whose  W.  W.  Home 

.Sing  to  tlie  Lord  with  heart  and  J.  Tritton 
Sing,  ye  saints,  adm  re  and  J.  Rylo'iul 

Sister,  thou  wast  mild  and  S.  F.  Smith 
Sleep  on,  but  not  forever,  R.  Grace 

So  fades  the  lovely  blooming  A.  Steele 

So  fair  a  face  bedewed  with  B.  Beddome 
Softly  fades  the  twilight  ray,  S.  P\  Smith 
Soldiers  of  Christ,  in  truth  B.  Manly 

Son  of  God,  for  thee  we  Eliz.  A.  Needham 
Sons  of  day,  arise  from  i'.  D.  Phelps 

Source  of  eternal  joys  divine,  A.  Steele 
Sovereign  grace,  o'er  sin  W.  W.  Home 

Sovereign  of  all  the  worlds  R.  Funnan 
Sovereign  of  worlds,  display  £,  II.  Draper 
Sovereign  Ruler  of  the  skies,  J.  Ri/land 
Spirit  of  glory  and  of  grace,  J.  Tritton 

Spirit  of  holiiiess,  descend,  S.  F.  Smith 
Spirit!  no  restless  wing,  S.  S.  Cutting 

Spirit  of  peace  and  holiness  S.  F.  Smith 
Sprinkleu  with  reconciling  B.  Beddome 
Stern  winter  throws  his  icy  chains,  A.  Steele 
Strait  the  gate,  the  way  is  tf.  Beddome 

Stretched  on  the  cross,  tlie  Savior  A.  Steele 
Sure,the  blessed  Comforter  is  nigh, .J.  Steele 
Sweet  day  of  rest  with  pure  .S'.  ,S'.  Burdett 
Sweet  is  the  hour  of  pmyer,  S.  I).  Phelps 
Sweet  Sabbath  School,  more  C.  R.  Blackall 
Sweetly  the  holy  hymn,        C.  H.  Spurgeon 

Take  the  name  of  Jesus  with  yon,Z.  Baxter 
Tell  us,  ye  servants  of  the  W.  Staughton 
Thanks  to  tliy  name.  O  Lord,  that  J.  Dracup 
The  blessed  Spirit,  like  the  B.  Beddome 
The  counsels  of  le  'eeming grace, ,S'.  Stennett 
The  darkness  now  is  o'er,  Em,ma  Trmiey 
The  day  of  praise  is  done,  A.  Steele 

The  day  of  wrath !  That  day  W.  S.  McKenzie 
The  day  is  past  and  gone,  J.  Leland 

The  foes  of  Zion  quake  for  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
The  God  of  grace  delights  to  W.  W.  Home 
The  God  of  love  will  sure  A.  Steele 

The  Golden  Land  is  shining,  E.  H.  Jackson 
The  great  Redeemer  we  adore,  J.  Stennett 
The  happy  mom  has  dawned  E.  G.  Taylor 
The  holy  eunuch,  when  bapt'd,  B.  Beddome 
The  Holy  Ghost  is  here,  C.  H.  Spurgeon 
The  icy  ijhains  that  bound  the  J.  Needham 
The  liiugs  of  earth  are  in     C.  U.  Spurgeon 


676 


INDEX   OF  FIRST   LINES. 


The  Lord,  he  is  our  Sun  and  S.  Reach 

The  Lord,  the  God  of  };lory,  A.  Steele 

The  nia  I  of  sorrows  now  we  J.  II.  Erans 
The  mighty  HoA  will  not  D.  Heddome 

Tlie  mind  was  formed  to  mount,  A.  Steele 
The  mornuig:  llirlit  is  breaking,  S.  /'\  Smith 
The  Prince  of  salvation  in  S.  F.  Smith 

The  sacred  day  of  rest,  J.  M.  D.  Cafes 

The  Savior  calls — let  every  ear,  A.  Steele 
The  Savior  lives,  no  more  to  die,  5.  Medley 
The  Savior,  oh  what  endless  A.  Steele 

The  soldier  keejis  his  wakeful  N".  Barnahy 
The  solemn  service  now  is  done,.S'.  F.  Smith 
The  sun  an<l  stars  may  cease  to  T.  Hrnirn 
The  sun,  that  lii^lits  yon  broad.-l/'.  A.  Collier 
The  time  will  surely  come,  H  T.  Daniel 
The  truth  of  God  shall  still  B.  Keddome 
The  wandering  star,  and  fleet'g  B.  Beddome 
The  weary  dove  in  search  of  rest,J.  Dowling 
The  wondering  nations  have  A.  Steele 

There  is  a  Friend,  who  's  JF.  L.  Dennis 
There  is  agate  that  stands  ajar,  L.  Baxter 
There  is  a  God !  all  nature  A.  Steele 

Th  re  is  a  heaven  of  perfect  bliss,  E.  Daris 
There  is  a  hope,  a  blessed  liope,i/.  H  Ilaw'ey 
There  is  a  land  mine  eye  hath  G.  nob<Hs 
There  is  a  light  which  fthines  from  H.  Manly 
There  is  a  little  lonely  fold.  M.  O.  Safftry 
There  is  a  place  of  sacred  rest,  li.  TurnbulL 
There  is  a  world  of  perfect  bliss,  B.  Bcddnme 
There's  not  a  bird  with  lonely  B.  W.  Noel 
They  are  gathering  homew'd  MaryE.  Leslie 
Tliey  who  seek  a  throne  of  grace,  O.  Holden 
They  all  have  met  in  heaven  at  last.G.  B.  Ide 
Thine  oath,  anl  promise,  E.  turnham 

Thiuk,  O  my  s ml,  the  dreadful  J.  Leland 
This  is  thine  earthly  temple,  C.  T.  Dayton 
This  morning  let  my  praise  It.  T.  Daniel 
This  rite  our  blest  Redeemer  5.  D.  Phelps 
This  world  would  be  a  K.  Heddome 

Thou  hast  said,  exalted  Jesus,  J.  E.  Giles 
Thou  Lord  of  all  above,  B.  Beddome 

Thou  lovely  source  ot  true  delight,.-!.  Steele 
Thou  only  centre  of  my  rest,  A.  Steele 

Thou  only  sovereign  of  my  heart,  A.  Steele 
Thou  refuge  of  my  weary  soul,  A.  Steele 
Thou  sacred  Spirit  heav'idy  dove,/. />.  Cook 
Thou  whose  dwelling  place  so  J.  Clement 
Through  nature's  temple,  large  J.  Slatter 
Through  uuuiy  climes,  o'er  many  G.  B.  Ide 
Thus  far  ray  God  hath  led  me  on",/.  Fnwcett 
Thus  it  became  the  Prince  of  /.  Norman 
Thus  was  the  great  Redeemer  S.  Stennett 
Thus  we  commemorate  the  day,  /.  Stennett 
Thy  gracious  presence,  O  my  A.  Steele 

Thy  life  I  read,  my  dearest  Lord,S.  Stennett 
Thy  people.  Lord,  we  meet.  It.  Grace 

Thy  presence,  gracious  God,  /.  Fan^Cftt 
Thy  strength, O  Lord, makes  C.  H.  Spiiryeon 
Thy  way,  O  God,  is  on  the  sea,  /.  Faircett 
Time  is  winging  us  away,  /.  burton 

'Tis  done — tli'  important  act  is  S.  F.  Smith 
'Tis  faith  supports  my  feeble  B.  Beddome 
'Tis  faith  that  lays  tlie  sinner  B.  Bfddome 
'Tis  finished,  so  the  Savior  cried,  .S.  Stennett 
'Tistirstof  all  thyself  to  know,  T.  Baldwin 
'Tis  Iieaven  begun  below,  /.  Swain 

Tis  sweet  in  the  trials  of  J.  W.  Smith 

'Tis  sweet  to  know  when  M.  Brayman 

'Tis  sweet  when  morning  )/'.  A.  Smith 

'Tis  the  great  Father  we  Maria  G.  SaflWy 
'  Tis  the  promise  of  (Jod,  full  P.  P.  Bliss 
To  Christ,  the  Lord,  let  every  S.  Stennett 
To  earth  descend,  O  Holy  E.  T.  Winkler 
To  God, my  Savior  and  my  King,.**'.  Stennftt 
To  (iod  the  universal  King,  S.  Stennett 
To  Jesus  now  my  taitht'ul  heart,  S,  tV.Lynd 


To  Jesus,  our  exalted  Lord,  A.  Steele 

To  Jorda.i's  stream  the  Savior  S.  Deacon 
To  our  Redeemer's  glorious  name,  .1.  Steelf 
To  praise  the  ever  bounteous  /.  Needhain 
To  the  ark  away,  or  perish,  G.  B.  Id\ 

To  thee,  Almighty  God,  we  bring,  A.  Steela 
To  thee,  O  Lord, belongs  SaraJt  /;.  Thresher 
To  thee  this  temple  we  devote,  </.  li.  Scott 
Today  the  Savior  calls,  S.  F.  Smith 

Triumphant  Christ  ascends  on  A.  Steele 
Unto  him,  unto  him,  who  is  /.  N.  Breton 
LTnto  our  God  on  Judah's  hill,  M.  lirayman 
Up  to  thy  throne,  O  God  of  love,  J.  B.  Cook 
Wait,  O  my  soul,  thy  Maker's  B.  Beddome 
AVandering  pilgrims,  mourning  /.  Leland 
Weep  for  the  lost!  the  Savior  N.  Colter 
Weeping  will  not  save  me,  R.  Lowry 

Welcome  days  of  solemn  meet'g,.?.  F.  Smith 
Welcome,  this  happy  hour,  in  /.  DowVmr/ 
AVhat  S'^enes  of  horror  and  of  /.  Faivceit 
What  though  the  clouds  Ilattie  M.  Conrey 
What  wisdom,  majesty  ami  S.  Stennett 

WhenAbram's  servant  to  procure,/.  It  y  land 
When  hloomingyouth  is  snatched^.  Steele 
When  by  the  tempter's  wiles  B.  Beddome 
When  Christ,  tli'  incarnate  E.  W.  Freeman 
When,  faint  and  weary,  toiling,  <S'.  Dyer 
When  fainting  in  the  sultry  waste,  A.  Steele 
AVhen  first  the  God  of  boundless  S  Stennett 
When  floating  on  life's  Lucij  S.  Dougherty 
AVhen  God  revealed  his  grand  /.  Leland 
AVhen  I  survey  life's  varied  scene,  A.  Steele 
When  Israel  through  the  desert  B.  Beddome 
AVhen  musing  sorrow  weeps  theiJ.  W,  Noel 
AVhen  o'er  our  laud  hung  S.  D.  Phelps 

AVhen  sins  and  fears  prevailing  A.  Steele 
AVhen  some  kind  sheplierd  from  /.  Need  ham 
AVhen  sorrows  round  us  roll,  B.  Beddome 
When  the  Lord  from  heav'u  Q.  C.  Needham 
AVhen  the  mountains  of  sin  J,  B.  Smith 
AVhen  the  Savior  awelt  below,  /.  Byland 
AVhen  thickly  beat  the  storms  of  G.  liobins 
AVhen  thy  mortal  life  is  fled,  S.  F.  Smith 
AVhen  verdure  clothes  the  fertile  A.  Steele 
AVhen  wandering  through  H.  S.  }f'((Khbuni 
AAMien  wearied  with  the  long  ('.  W.  Ray 
Where  art  thou  soul  ?  I  hear  A.  J.  Gordon 
Where  is  my  God?  does  he  retire?  ^.  Steele 
AVhere  two  or  three,  with  sweet  S.  Stennett 
Where'er  the  angry  passions,  A.  Steele 

AVhile  beauty  clothes  the  fertile  A.  Steele 
While  carnal  men,  with  all  B.  Beddome 
AVhile  in  the  howling  shades  of  J.  Lawson 
AVhile  in  ihis  sacred  i-ite  of  S.  F.  Smith 
AVhile  my  Kedeeraer's  near,  A.  Steele 

AVhile  on  life's  stormy  sea,  S.  D.  Phelps 
AVhile  othi  rs  strive  and  hope,  A.  Steele 
While  through  this  A.  M.  Poind exter 

AVhile  verdant  bill  andblooming  A.  Steele 
AVIiither  can  a  sinner  flee,  W.  Groser 

AVho  can  forbear  to  sing,  J.  Swain 

AV'ho  shall  condenm  to  endless  B.  Beddome 
Why  fix  thy  love  on  shadows,  G.  B.  Ide 
AVhy,  O  my  soul,  why  weepest  B.  Beddome 
Why  should  a  living  man  S.  Stennett 

AVhy  sinks  my  weak  desponding  A.  Steele 
AVine  is  a  mocker,  so  the  word,  S.  W.  Lynd 
AVith  broken  heart  and  contrite  C.  Eiven 
AVith  uratitude,  ()  gracious  A.  J.  Rotvland 
With  hunililc  heart  and  tongue,  /.  Fawcett 
AVith  melting  heart  and  weeping/.  Fawcett 
AVith  my  substance  1  will  honor,  B.  Francis 
AVith  tears  of  anguish  I  lament,  i\  Stennett 
AVith  thee.  Great  (iod,  the  stores  D.  Turner 
AVith  willing  hearts  wo  tread,  S.  F.  Smith 
Witness  ye  lueu  and  angels       B.  Beddome 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


677 


Ye  angels,  bless  the  Lord,  B.  Beddome 

Ye  Christian  heroes  go  B.  U.  Draptr 

Ye  daughters  of  Zioti!  declare,  J.  Swain 
Ye  eartlily  vanities,  depart  A.  Steele 

Ye  heavy-laden  souls,  S.  Deacon 

Ye  humble  souls,  complain  no  A.  Steele 
Ye  glittering  toys  of  earth,  adieu,  A.  Steele 
Ye  luimlile  souls,  approach  your  A.  Steele 
Ye  men  and  angels  witness  B.  Beddome 
Ye  sons  of  God  awake  to         W.  Staughton 


Ye  trembling  souls,  dismiss  B.  Beddome 
Ye  worlds  of  light,  that  roll  so  B.  Bedilome 
Ye  wretched,  hungry,  starving  A.  Steele 
Yes,  I  would  love  thee,  blessed  D.  Turner 
Yes,  my  native  land  I  love  thee,.S.  F.  Smith 
Yes,  she  is  gone,  but  do  not  Af.  F.  Anderson 
Yonder— amazing  sight!  I  see,     S.  Stennett 


Zion,  a  mourner  long. 


B.  Beddome 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


[The  •  is  used  to  indicate  the  page  on 

100* 
638 


Adams,  John, 
Ainsworth,  Henry, 
Alden,  Xoah, 
Aldrich,  J., 
A 1  ford.  Dean, 
Allen,  Lorenzo  B., 
Allen,  Thoiuits, 
Allen,  William, 
Allison   Jiurgis, 
Allsop,  S.  S., 
Anderson,  George  W., 
Anderson,  J.  S., 
Anderson,  Maria  Frances, 
Anderson,  Thomas  D., 
Andrews,  Emerson, 
Armitage,  Thomas, 
Armstrong,  G., 
Armstrong.  Mis.  H.  M., 
Armstrong,  W.  F., 
Arthur,  James  H., 
Arvine,  Kazlitt, 
Ash,  John, 
Ashmore,  W., 
Asplund,  John, 

Babcock,  Rufus,  jr., 
Backus,  Isaac, 
Bailey,  G.  S., 
Bailey,  John, 
Bailey,  Rosa  A., 
Bailey,  Thomas  L., 
Baldwin,  Thomas, 
Balfern,  W.  P., 
Banks,  C.  H., 
Banvard,  Joseph, 
Barchet,  S.  P., 
Barker,  Luke, 
Barnaby,  IS., 
Barrows,  B.  W., 
Bartow,  Theodosius, 
Bates,  G.  J)., 
Batt,  W.  J., 
Baxter,  John  C, 
Baxter,  Lydia, 
Bayley,  John, 
Beck,  Dr.  Josef, 
Beddome,  Benjamin, 
Beddome,  John, 
Beeman,  Anna, 
Belcher,  Joseph, 

174,  175 
Benedict,  David, 
Bennett,  A.  A., 
Bennett,  Cephas, 
Beutley,  W.  H., 


229 

386,  G61 

146 

355* 

597,  598 

355 

041 

190* 

389,*  403 

136 

403* 

493 

CG3* 

495,  665 

668 

605 

603 

620 

408* 

39,  65,  629 

613 

96,  643 

651 

640 

263 

633 

598 

419* 

226,*  280,  288 

183* 

623,  624 

279,  301,  657,*  660 

615 

651 

196* 

517 

326 

587 

477 

338 

338* 

156 

7 

49,*  102,  139.  637 

41,49 

224,  641 

53,59,65,  73,  80,  83,  118, 

254,*  048 

322,  516,*  618,  619 

598 

622 


which  biographical  details  are  found.] 

Betts,  John  H.,  jgi* 
Bickel,  Philipp,                   539,*  544  545,  670 

Bmder,  Carius,  7* 

Bird,  F.  M.,  236.  »82   644 

Blackall,  C.  R.,  '4^* 

Blain,  John,  28'>* 

Blaurer,  Thomas,  fg 

Blaurock,  George,  17* 

Bliss,  Philip  P.,  480,488* 

Boardman,  George  Dana  sr.,  303 

Boardman,  George  Dana,  439* 

Bodenbender,  Conrad,  540* 

"oj'es,  Lucius,  803,  312 

Bolles,  Matthew,  238* 

Booth,  Abrahiun,  140 

Bower,  Jacob,  26'>* 

Bradbury,  \Vm.  B.,  429,  473,  662 

Bradford,  John,  114 

Brantley,  William  T.,  651 
Bray  man,  Mason,                       263,  273  36''* 

Br.ayton,  D.  L.,  '    5^7 

Bridgman,  C.  D'W.,  666* 

Briggs,  George  ]Sr.,  400 

Bright,  Edward,  394 
Broaddus,  Amlrew,            234,  245,*  649,  654 

Broadus,  J.  A.,  343 

Bronson,  Miles,  gn 

Brown,  John  Newton,  298* 
Brown,  Nathan,  319,*  517,  596,  610,  618,  619 

Brown,  S.  B.,  3,; 

Brown,  Theron,  4g5# 

Brunsdon,  Daniel,  125 

Bryman,  IMason,  gq")* 
Buck,  William  C,               272,*  274,  363,  654 

Buckley.  Justus,  276 

Bunker,  A.,  606* 

Bunyan,  John,  27* 

Burder,  J.,  592 

Burdett,  Staunton  S.,  295  *  652 

Burnham,  Edwin.  395*  663 
Burnham,  Richard,              95,*  135,  630  643 

Burke,  J.  A.,  650 

Burns,  Dawson,  J95* 

Burns,  Jabez,  195 

Burton,  John,  J30* 

Butler,  John,  422,654* 

Hutler,  John  W.,  577 

Butler,  Nathaniel,  422* 

Butler,  Washington,  473 

Butterworth,  Hezekiah,  496* 

Bwin,  Moung  Shway,  599 

Byu,  Ko  Thah.  606 

Carey  .William,      68, 103,  117, 120, 123,  303, 
583,  584,  585. 


678 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


Cary,  Phoebe, 

425 

Cabaniss,  A.  B., 

614 

Caldicott,  T.  F.. 

301,  581 

Caldwell,  S.  L., 

360,  664* 

Cauipbell,  Mrs.  W.  VT., 

592 

Carmen,  I.  N., 

511 

Cates,  A..  B., 

666 

Cates,  J.  M.  D.,           378 

,*  656,  657,  6G3,  666 

Chamberlain,  John, 

587 

Cliamberlam,  Mellen, 

297 

Chase,  Irah, 

287,  G51 

Child,  J.  B., 

483 

Ch6k;,  Fung, 

C15,  616 

Cher,  Kah, 

607 

Clark,  Charles, 

211* 

Clarke,  W.  Augustus, 

92,*  632 

Cleavland,  Benjamin, 

223,*  611 

Clement,  Je^se, 

380* 

Clifford,  John  H., 

297 

Clopton,  A.  W., 

342 

Clough,  Mrs.  J.  E., 

592 

Coburn,  Louise  H., 

527,  541,  543,  547 

Colby  Henry  F., 

501* 

Cole,  Charles, 

63,*  631 

Coles,  Thomas, 

139* 

Collier.  Mary  Ann, 

349* 

Collier,  William, 

349,  645* 

Collins,  Mis.  S.  A., 

445* 

Colver,  Nathaniel, 

277,*  408 

Colwell.  T.  M., 

521 

Comber,  T.  ,T., 

622,*  623 

Compston,  John, 

192* 

Cornpston,  Samuel, 

193 

Cone,  Speiieor  H.. 

327 

Conrey,  Harriet  M., 

495* 

Constant,  S.  S., 

544 

Cook,  Joseph  B., 

252* 

Cotes,  Maria  B., 

611 

Cotton,  John, 

638 

Courtney,  John, 

644 

Cr«ne,  "\Villiam, 

659,  660* 

Craven,  Henry, 

623,  624 

Crawford,  T.  P.. 

614 

Crawley,  A.  R.  R., 

597 

Crawley,  Mrs.  Laura, 

598 

Cretin,  J.  B., 

568 

Cross,  E.  B., 

604 

Crozer,  John  P., 

416 

Cummiiigs,  Ebenezer  £. 

652* 

Gushing,  J.  N., 

608 

Cuslnnan,  Elisha, 

265,*  352 

Cushman,  Robert  W., 

292* 

Cutter,  Oliver  T., 

(ill 

Cutting  S.  S., 

294,  328,  357,*  634 

Dagg,  John, 
Danforth.  A.  H., 

648 

611 

Daniel  Robert  T., 

248* 

Das,  Makunda, 

589 

Dass,  Batiram, 

611 

Davis,  Eliel, 

173* 

Davis,  G.  F., 

238,  649* 

Day,  G.  E., 

668 

Dayton,  Caroline  T., 

315* 

Deacon,  John, 

107,*  632 

Deacon,  .Samuel, 

93,*  107,  630 

Denck,  John, 

9,  12.  14,  20 

Denison,  Frederic, 

405  *  4,56 

Den  ham,  David, 

149,*  635 

Dennis,  W.  L., 

350* 

})ent,  Caroline, 

179* 

Dhar,  (!unga. 

589 

Dietz,  H  L., 

650,*  609 

Dixon,  H., 

622 

Doane,  William  H.,  445, 

448,  455,*  663,  666, 

6t)7 

Doke,  Shway, 

600 

Donner,  L.  H., 

669,  670 

Dossey,  William, 

257,*  651 

Dougherty,  Lucy  S., 

410* 

Dowling,  John, 

173, 

317,*  657 

Downie,  Annie  H., 

591 

DoTVTiie,  David, 

591 

Dracup,  John, 

86* 

Draper,  Bourne  H., 

13«* 

Drumniond,  Henry, 

141 

Dnffield.  S.  W., 

90,  231 

Dupuy,  Starke, 

647* 

Dyer,"Sidney, 

373,*  659 

Eames,  John, 

49 

Earle,  A.  B., 

668 

Eckman,  E.  P., 

561 

Ediie,  J.  B., 

625 

Eddy,  Daniel  C, 

413 

*  442,  668 

Eliot,  John, 

638 

Elven,  Cornelius, 

159* 

Evans,  Caleb,  39,  65,  67,  82,  98,  lOS 

,  117,  629 

Evans,  Hugh, 

65,98 

Evans,  JauiPS  H., 

141,*  634 

Evans,  John, 

109 

Evans,  John  M., 

424* 

Evans,  Kate  F., 

597 

Eveleth,  F.  H. 

608* 

Everts,  W.  W., 

665 

Fanch,  James, 

36,*  40 

Farwell,  Nidhi  Levi, 

611 

Fawcett,  John, 

79,*  12E 

,  629,  637 

Feddersen,  J.  D., 

548* 

Fellows,  John, 

59* 

Fenn  A.  R., 

576 

Fielde,  Adele  M., 

613 

Fish,  H.  C, 

665 

Fleischmann,  C.  A., 

534* 

Fletcher,  Alexander, 

156 

Flowerdew,  Alice, 

108* 

Folwell,  J.  N., 

437* 

Forsy'h,  John, 

137 

Foskett,  Bernard, 

49 

Foster,  John, 

104,139,140,185 

Fountain,  John, 

120,*  583 

Francis,  Benjamin, 

66, 

*  140,  571 

Fr.ancis,  George, 

153,*  634 

Franklin,  Jonathan, 

111,*  632 

Freeman,  Enoch  W., 

290,*  650 

Fi'ick,  Lienhart, 

10 

Frost,  C.  C, 

.521 

Fuller,  Andrew,   103,  104 

105, 117 

118,  243, 

586 

Fuller,  Richard, 

611,  655, 

656,*  665 

Furm.an,  James  C, 

253,  258 

Furman,  Richard, 

233* 

Gadsby,  John, 

59 

,  100,  129 

Gadsby,  William, 

128, 

*  135,  633 

Gallaher,  James, 

91 

Geistweit,  William  H., 

519* 

Ge  >is,  Benjamin  L., 

597,  598 

George,  William, 

891 

(Jerok,  Carl, 

553 

Gibbons,  Thomas, 

126 

Gibbs,  Philip, 

97 

frifford,  Andrew, 

76 

Gilbert,  Timothy, 

278 

Giles,  John  E., 

175* 

Giles,  W., 

175 

Gill,  John, 

98.  99,  1.53 

Gillett*,  A.  D.,             294, 

310,  323, 

»  397,  655 

Gil  more,  David  Chandler 

533 

Gilmore,  Joseph  Henrv, 

471,*  568 

Glaidt,  Oswald, 

8 

(i  lover,  Sanniel, 

265 

Goadby,  Frederic  W., 

218* 

Goadby,  Joseph, 

198,  218 

INDEX   OF  NAMES. 


679 


Goadby,  Thomas, 

198, 

*  218,  637 

Goddard,  J.  R,, 

614 

Gordelier,  Charles, 

90 

Gordon,  A.  J., 

4S2,*  505 

,  664,  665 

Gough,  John  B., 

173 

Grace,  Robert, 

167* 

Grafton,  Joseph, 

312,  329 

Grant,  William, 

125 

Graves,  Absalom, 

261,  648* 

Graves,  Henry  C, 

449* 

Graves,  J.  R., 

661,*  665 

Graves,  R.  H., 

613,  614,  615 

Greeu,  B.  L., 

636 

Green,  S.  G., 

636 

Greene,  David, 

651 

Griffith,  Thomas  J., 

573 

Griffiths,  D., 

160 

Griffiths,  T.  S., 

663* 

Grigg,  Joseph, 

68 

Griumiell.  J.  C, 

555,*  670 

Groser,  William, 

150,*  635 

Gubelmann,  J.  S., 

669 

Guill,  George, 
Guinness,  H.  Grattan, 

33 

504,  568 

Guy  ton,  R.  F., 

588 

Hackett,  H.  B., 

462 

Hague,  John  B., 

372* 

Hague,  William, 

325,*  435 

Hall,  R., 

52,  104, 11- 

,  130.  203 

Hanaford,  J.  H., 

354 

401,*  057 

Hansen,  S., 

563,  564 

Har bottle,  Joseph, 

160* 

Harris,  John  P., 

57 ! 

Harris,  Joseph, 

571,  572 

Harris,  Mrs.  J.  E., 

606 

Harris,  Mrs.  M.  V., 

605* 

Harris,  Norman, 

605 

Harris,  W.  L., 

320 

Harvey,  C.  H., 

623,  624 

Haselhuhn,  J.  C, 

546,*  669 

Hastings,  H.  L., 

89,  284,  39E 

,  507,  523 

Hastings,  Thomas, 

330,  331 

Haswell,  J.  M., 

5".  16* 

Haswell,  J.  R., 

594,*  COO 

Hatfield,  Edwin  P.,   59,  76,  99, 105, 115.  302, 

62» 

Hawks,  Annie  S.,  477* 
Hawley,  H.  H.,                            356,  392,*  443 

Hearn,  IMarianne  F.,  206* 

Heath,  Clara  B.,  454* 

Heath,  Georgiana  L.,  508* 

Henson,  P.  S.,  667* 

Hetzer,  L.,  9, 14,*  17 

Hewes,  John  M.,  300* 

Hickey,  James,  577* 

Higgins,  T.  A.,  CG8 

Hill,  B.  M.,  403,651* 

Hill,  Lucy  S.,                     •  410* 

Hill,  Stephen  P.,  312,*  653 

Hill,  Thomas  F.,  403 

Himes,  Paul,  646 

Hinton,  James,  163,  175 

Hinton.  John  H.,  147,*  635 

Holcombe,  Hosea,  645 

Holden,  Oliver,  235* 

Holman,  Jesse  L.,  260* 

Holme,  J.  Stanford,  385,  659* 

Holmes,  Oliver  Wendell,  329 

Home.  William  W.,  131,*  634 

Hornberger,  L.  P.,  667* 

Hovev,  Alvah,  531 

Howa'rd.  John,  58,147 

Howe,  Jonathan,  650 

Hpau,  Sau  Eh,  607 

Hubbard,  John,  56 

Hubmeier,  8, 15 


Hughes,    Joseph. 

18 

Huntingdon,  Countess  of. 

74,  86 

Hupton,  Job, 

114* 

Hut,  Hans, 

8, 12,*  15 

Hyatt,  John, 

156 

Ide.  George  B.,                   308, 

*  403,  428,  658 

Ikeda,  K., 

619,  620 

Ingalls,  Lovell, 

596* 

Ingham,  C.  E., 

623 

Inglis,  James, 

662 

Ivimy,  Joseph, 

40, 174 

Jackson,  Edward  H., 

209* 

Jackson,  Henry, 

650 

James,  J.  Sexton, 

421 

James,  Richard  S., 

420* 

Jameson,  Melvin, 

322 

Jennings.  Francis, 

36 

Jensen,  N.  P., 

565 

Jensen,  O.  C, 

565 

Jeter,  J.  B., 

655,  656* 

Jewett,  Lvman, 

592 

Jewett,  Jfrs.  Lyman, 

590,  593 

Johnson,  E.  H., 

667 

Johnson,  Franklin, 

21,  24,  485* 

Johnson,  W.  B., 

234 

Jones,  Abner, 

138 

Jones,  Daniel. 

572 

Jones,  Edmund, 

53* 

Jones,  John  R., 

571 

Jones,  John  Taylor, 

331 

Jones,  Lewis, 

573 

J'lnes,  Philip, 

53 

Jones,  Robert, 

572 

Jones,  Samuel, 

641 

Judson,  Adoniram,  267,*  302,  324,  366,  397, 

398,  440,  503,  597,  600,  607 

Judson,  Ann  H..  268,  288,  303 

Judson,  Edward,  271,331 

Judson,  Emily  C,  270,  324,  396,*  595,  598 
Judson,  Sarah  B.,  270, 302,*  366,  397, 398,  595 

Kawakatsu,  T.,  619,  621 

Keach,  Benjamin,  30,*  627,  628 

Keene,  Caroline,  88 

Keene,  R.,  87 

Keirstead,  E.  M.,  668 

Keith,  George,  87 

Keller,  L.,  16 

Kennard ,  J.  H. ,  424, 437,  517 

Kenyon,  Archibald,  368* 

Kincaid,  Eugenio,  437 

King,  Henry  M.,  301,  492* 

Kingsbury,  William,  88 

Kirkham,  Thomas,  88 

Kirtley,  J.  A.,  649 

Knajjp,  Jacob,  159,  656* 

Knapp,  W.  I.,  574* 

Kneeland,  Levi,  307* 

Knowles,  James  D.,  287* 

Knudsen,  L.,  565 

Kobner,  Julius,  526,  530,*  553,  562,  669 

Koopman,  G.,  551 

Kupfer,  S.,  528* 

Kyau,  Moung,  600,  601 


Lacey,  C, 
Lamb,  F.  M., 
Lamson,  William, 
Langf  ord,  John, 
La,  Sau  Pa, 
Larsen,  M., 
Larsen,  N., 
Lawson,  John, 
Leavitt,  Joshua, 
Lees,  J., 
Lehmann,  G.  W., 


589 
614, 520* 
440 
84* 
607 
564 
564 

144* 
175 
193 

B25* 


680 


IXDEX  OF  NAMES. 


Leland,  John, 

Leonard.  L.  G., 

Leopold,  John, 

Leslie,  Andrew, 

Leslie,  Marv  E., 

Lew,  E.  M.", 

Lewis,  Thomas, 

Linfrley,  James, 

Liiisley  .himes  H., 

Llewellyn,  Thomas, 

Lonsdale,  A.  \V., 

Loonee,  Moung, 

Loriiiier,  G.  C, 

Lowry,  Robert,    369.  386,  387,  i 

457,"477,  47S,  518,  666 
Lloyde,  D.  llayden, 
Lugyee,  Mouug, 
Liinn,  J.  S., 
Luther,  C.  C, 
Lynd  Samuel  W., 

IMac Arthur,  R.  S., 
Macaulay,  Lord, 
Maclay.  Archibald, 
IMahanty,  Daniel, 
Maler,  Alartin, 
Manly,  Basil  sr., 
Manly,  Basil  jr.. 
Manning,  J.  W., 
jMantz,  Felix, 
Marsh,  John  J5., 
Marsh,  AV.  H.  H., 
Marshall,  Leonard, 
Marshman,  J., 
Mason,  Francis, 
Mason,  Lowell, 
Massey,  H.  V., 
Mitliams,  Walter  J., 
Mather,  Richard, 
Mathews,  G.  P., 
McAll.  R.  W., 
McKenzie,  "William  S., 
McKibben,  W.  K., 
McKittricU,  J., 
Mercer,  Jesse, 
Medlev,  Samuel, 
Miller",  H., 
Miller,  H.  Thane, 
Miller,  J., 
!Min  Moung  Oung, 
Moore,  P.  H., 
Moorhouse,  Henry, 
!Morehouse,  Henry  L,, 
Morrison,  D., 
Morton,  Sarah  J., 
!Mosser,  Henry, 
>Iote,  Edward, 
Mouni:  Moung  Shway, 
-Alulford,  John  B., 
jMiiller,  (Jeorge, 
Munzer,  Thomas, 
Murdock,  J.  N., 
Myat,  Saug, 
Myrland,  E.  L., 

Nakagawa,  K., 
>'eale,  Jolm  Mason, 
Neale,  R.  H., 
Keedhani,  Elizabeth  A., 
Needliani,  George  C, 
Xeedham,  John, 
Nelson,  Jlenry  A., 
Xewton,  I.s:iac. 
Newton,  .James, 
Nielson.  Niels. 
Noel,  Baptist  W., 
Noel,  Gerard  T., 


229* 
601 

n* 

201* 

201* 

668,*"  665 

53 

170* 

238,  653* 

64 

508 

606 

665,  668 

,  428,*  446 

479* 
601 
564 

512* 
285* 

324,  665 

29 

644* 

5'JO 

18* 

239,  343, 658* 

343,  425,*  658,  665 

668 

2,*  15 

494 

498 

334* 

120, 122,*  125,  584 

604,*  607 

331,  332,  651,  660 

296 

221* 

638 

520 

567 

345,  461* 

613 

625 

230,*  645 

75,*  630 

652 

652 

72,  75,  76,  86, 134 

599 

612 

504 

474* 

433 

503 

180 

155,*  635 

600 

517* 

534 

12 

337,  462 

609 

565 

619,  620 

115 

277,  352 

506* 

503* 

41,«  44,  109,  G29 

54 

75 

64* 

562 

142,  164,*  635 

166 


Noel,  Silas  M., 

647 

Norman,  John, 

96* 

Oncken,  J.  G-., 

525,  530,  553 

Paice,  Henry, 

127* 

Pal,  Krishnu, 

123,  584*,  585 

Palmer,  Albert  G., 

360* 

Palmquist,  G., 

559* 

Palinquist,  P., 

559,  560 

Park,  Edwards  A  , 

660 

Parker,  William  H., 

216* 

Parkinson,  William, 

53,  249,*  645 

Parmly,  W.  H., 

438 

Parsons,  John, 

587 

Partridge,  S.  B., 

613 

Pearce,  J.  H., 

586 

Pearce,  Samuel, 

116,*  140 

Pearce,  Selina  P., 

510* 

Peck,  John  M., 

277,  363,  647 

Pendleton,  J.  M., 

662* 

Perkins,  J  , 

331 

Perkins,  N   M., 

661* 

Peterson,  Frank, 

5(!1 

Petterson,  H.  J., 

623,  624 

Phelps,  Arthur  S., 

523i^ 

Phelps,  Austin, 

660 

Phe.ps,  S.  Drvden,223,384 

,*  473, 523, 659,665 

Phinney,  H.  D., 

662 

Pike,  E.  C, 

636 

Pike,  J.  B., 

636 

Pike,  J.  G., 

636 

Poindexter,  Abram  M., 

341* 

Pratt,  S.  H., 

612 

Prince,  Thomas, 

639 

Probert,  Herbert, 

625 

Provis,  B.  W., 

188* 

Pryor,  John, 

344 

Purushottam,  Chondari, 

591 

Quala,  Sau, 

606 

Rand,  Silas  T., 

-  344* 

Rauschenbusch,  A., 

528,  536,*  556,  669 

Rauscheubusch,  Walther, 

556* 

Rawson,  Eiisha, 

226 

Rawson,  George, 

636 

Hay  Charles  W., 

459* 

Reed,  Andrew, 

87, 188 

Rees,  Morgan  John, 

571 

Reichenliach,  H.  A., 

564 

Rice,  Luther, 

342 

Richards,  Henry, 

624 

Richards,  William  C, 

399* 

Ricker,  George, 

290 

Ricker,  Joseph, 

469 

Riedemann,  Peter, 

19* 

Ripley,  Henry  J., 

280,  651 

Ripley,  Thomas  B., 

2»0.*  048 

Rippon,  John,    41,  68,  89, 

98,*  112,  125,  155, 

630,  631 

Rippon,  Thomas, 

154* 

Robaits,  Frederick  H., 

208* 

Roberts,  James  T., 

219* 

Robey,  John, 

179 

Robins,  Gurdon, 

370* 

Robins,  Henry  E., 

370 

Robinson,  C,"S., 

91,  665 

Robinson,  Robert, 

69,*  203 

Robinson,  William, 

72 

Rockwell,  A.  F., 

393 

Root,  George  F., 

489 

Howe,  Charles  H., 

469* 

Rowland,  A.  Jiidson, 

498,*  667 

Russell,  John, 

274* 

Russen,  David, 

35 

Ryland,  Jobu, 

102,*  117,  137,  140 

INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


681 


Ryland,  John  Collett, 
Ryland,  Robert, 

Saffery,  John, 
Saffery,  Maria  Grace, 
Saliu,  Shem, 
Saiilens,  Reuben, 
Sakeliarios,  Adaline  J., 
Sakellarios,  D.  Z., 
Samal,  Kartick, 
Sanlers.  H.  M., 
Sands,  Clara  A., 
Saiikey,  Ira  D., 
Sashiah,  R., 
Sattler,  Miohael, 
Saunders,  David, 
Schaffer,  H.  M., 
Schiemer.  Leonhart, 
Schlatter,  Hans, 
Scott.  Jacob  R., 
Sears,  Barnas, 
Sedgwick,  Daniel, 
Selden  S., 
Shailer,  William  H., 
Shand,  A.  P., 
Sharp,  Daniel, 
Shawl  00,  Moung, 
Sherwin,  W.  F., 
Shuck,  J.  L., 
Simmons,  J.  B., 
Simons,  Mrs.  C.  J., 
Slatter,  James, 
Sleeper,  Samuel, 
Smith,  D.  A.  W., 
Smith,  Elias, 
Smith,  J.  Byington, 
Smith,  Jo.shua, 
Smith,  J.  Wheaton, 


101,  102,  179 

133 

133* 

590 

567,  568* 

580* 

580,  581 

590 

668  * 

619,  620* 

489 

590 

4,*  15 

571 

669 


376* 

5*^5 

74,  88,  104,  115,  637 

068 

377 

668 

228,  333 

6fil 

386,  434,*  498 

421 

517 

594* 

1.52* 

643 

330,  603* 

138 

444* 

225,  643 

415* 


Smith,  Sanmel  F.,  329,*  410, 509,  567,  655,  659 
Smith,  W.  A.,  51i* 

Smith,  William,  367 

Smythe,  James  F.,  200* 

Sommers,  Charles,  G.,  373,  648 


Sorensen,  Peter, 
Sow,  Ah, 
Speck,  Gregor, 
Spencer,  James, 
Spurgeon,  C.  H., 
Spurge  on,  James  A. 
Stadling,  J., 
Stanford,  Charles, 
Stanford,  John, 


563 
601 
544* 
391* 
98, 159,  203,*  504,  638 
204 
560 
163 
642 


Staughton,  William,   242,*  280,  285,  287,  649 


Steane,  Edward, 
Stebbins,  George  C. 
Steele,  Anne, 
Steele.  Wni., 
Stennett,  Edward, 
Stennett.  Joseph, 
Stennett,  Samuel, 
Stenson,  John, 
Stevens,  E.  A., 
Stevens.  E.  O., 
Stevens,  Harriet  C, 
Stevens.  John, 
Stevenson,  W.  R., 
Stilson ,  Lyman, 
Storyj  Enoch  jr., 
Stout,  J<ihn, 
Stow,  Baron, 
Stowe,  Phineas, 
Strigel,  Franz, 
Sutton,  Amos, 
Suzuki,  T., 
Swain,  Joseph, 
Swift,  Carlos, 


163* 

449,  452,  510,  513 

46,*  637 

46 

33 

32,*  50,  56,  628 

33,  56,*  637 

16^,*  635 

594* 

594* 

598 

135,*  153,  633 

41,79,6:i:,  637 

596,*  599 

641 

258 

329,331,410,483,65.0* 

280,  352,*  402,  657 

13 

171,*  588 

619,  620 

112,*  632 

443* 


Synnnes,  Thomas, 

639 

Syoo,  Ah, 

601 

Taylor,  Dan, 

107,  629,  632 

Taylor,  Edward  G., 

451* 

Taylor,  I-aac, 

147 

Taylor,  Moses, 

601 

Therrien,  A.  L., 

569 

Then,  Sau  Sa., 

607 

Thomas,  H.  C, 

603,  60tj 

Thomas,  Jesse  B., 

363 

Thomas.  W.  F., 

606* 

Thonjas,  William  H., 

572 

Thresher,  Ebenezer, 

297,  502 

Threslier,  J.  B., 

501 

Thre-her,  .^^arah  B., 

500* 

Thurber.  Charles, 

297,*  659 

Tilley,  Thomas, 

107 

Timms,  Gill, 

168* 

Tobey,  T.  W., 

4-1 

Tolman,  C.  F., 

611 

Tommas,  John, 

64 

Toonla, 

6119 

Torigama,  S., 

619,  621 

Trestrail.  Elizabeth  R., 

179* 

Trestrail,  F., 

179 

Tritton,  Joseph, 

185* 

Trumbull,  J., 

221 

Trumbull,  J.  H., 

223 

Truv6,  T., 

560 

Tucker,  Eben, 

338 

Tucker,  William, 

61* 

Tupper,  H.  A., 

644 

Tupper,  James, 

406* 

Turnbull,  Robert, 

266,  336* 

Turner,  Daniel, 

36,  38,*  97 

Turney .  Edmund, 

382* 

Turney,  Emma, 

187* 

Turney.  G.  L., 

187 

Tyers,  John, 

146* 

Tymias,  Thomas  V., 

212* 

Upham,  A.  G., 

513 

Upton,  James, 

110,*  633 

Vance,  D.  B., 

379 

Vardeman,  Jeremiah, 

647* 

Vincent,  J.  H., 

447 

Vinet,  A., 

570 

Vinton,  Calista, 

602* 

Vinton,  J.  B., 

603 

Vinton,  Justus  H., 

602,  605 

Wade,  J., 

593,  597* 

Wagner,  George, 
Walker,  John, 

6* 

58 

Walker,  Thomas, 

89 

Wallin,  Benjamin, 

44,*  64,  629 

Wal'in,  Edward, 

44 

Walter,  Thomas, 

639 

Wa.ter,  Thomas  U., 

310* 

Ward,  William. 

124,*  268,  611 

Washburn,  Henry  S., 

365* 

Wa,  Shway, 

608 

Wattson,  Thomas, 

472 

Wayland,  Francia, 

327,  660* 

Weeks,  J.  H.. 

622 

Weld,  Thomas, 

638 

AVells,  Amos, 

224,  641 

Wesley,  Samuel, 

34 

Westlind,  N., 

623,  624 

Weston,  Henry  G., 

664* 

Westrup.  Thomas  M., 

577* 

White.  AV.  J., 

619* 

Whitetield,  George, 

61,  66,  69,  70 

■Whittemore,  George  H., 

293 

Whittier,  John  G., 

361,  408 

682 


IN^DEX  OF   NAMES. 


"Wigner,  J.  T., 
Wigner,  John  M., 
Wilkinson.  William  C, 
Williams,  ISenjaujin, 
AVillis,  N.  P., 
Willmarth,  James  AV., 
Wilson.  Jonathan, 
Wilson,  Samuel, 
Wincliell,  James  M., 
Windolf  Hermann, 
Winkler,  Edwin  T., 
Wood,  N.  M., 


170,  181,*  636 

214* 

•1G7* 

73 

397 

4S1* 

646 

49,50 

99,  G4(.* 

552* 

416,*  659 

423 


Woodbridge.  W.  C, 
\Voolsey,T.  T., 
Worth,  E'lmund, 
Wrathall,  William, 

Valman,  C.  H., 
Yat -s,  M.  T., 
Yohan,  T. , 
Young,  Edward, 

Zeuner,  Charles, 
Zwick,  John, 


332 

389 
652, 653* 

86 

519 
614 
592 
225 

334 
16 


